Who Needs the Fountain of Youth?

St. Augustine, Florida, is the oldest city in America. In it stands a monument to man’s great search.

It tells of the Spanish explorer, Ponce de Leon. Like any Spaniard, he came searching for gold. But he had another passion.

Find the legendary fountain of youth. The story circulated that a mere drink of this spring would reverse time, return strength, and keep one perpetually young.

Since then, it has been the premise of movies such as Cocoon and Death Becomes Her.

This past week, I crossed the time meridian for year 71. So, you keep asking, “Do you want to be young again?”

Aging is no picnic. Achy knees sing their song of agony when getting up from a chair. Trifocals are supposed to help you see, but everything is still blurry. The most oft-heard phrase in your house is “Huh?” Hair grays and skin thins.

It seems tempting.

Alan Jackson addressed the same issue in his song The Older I Get.

He lays out the case for effective aging. You realize what makes you rich is not your stuff. Cultivated deep friendships contain more gold than dozens of acquaintances (or Facebook friends). Life gets clear on what matters and what doesn’t. There is more gratitude and fewer wants.

He says, “And if they found a fountain of youth, I wouldn’t drink a drop, and that’s the truth, Funny how it feels, I’m just gettin’ to my best years yet.”

I agree.

In age, you think every day might be your last…and it is true. Do what makes that day rich and lay down at night thankful for one more day.

Use your wisdom to develop others, especially the younger. My grandson calls me his best friend (and also his piggy bank), and that’s fine. Maybe I can teach him something. The young are smart but not wise. They don’t yet bear the scars that earn them that merit badge.

Take care of your health because your body is your vehicle through life. I have learned that if I don’t take care of myself, my grandchildren leave me behind (but they do anyway…but I want to try to keep up).

Most of all, look forward.

At the end of Deuteronomy, there is a scene that you could read as sad or joyous.

Moses is 120 years old. God tells him he will not lead the people into Canaan. Yet he gets a gift, a gift we all hope to get…a glimpse of the Promised Land.

Don’t you want to see it? Isn’t that better than a drink from the fountain of youth?

When you arrive at a certain age, look toward a better future because God gives to his servants.