I had a wake-up call last week that made me very aware that my body is truly wasting away and that I really am living in an earthly tent. This wake-up call came as a result of helping my husband paint our bedroom. We hadn’t painted in years. In fact, fourteen years ago, we took down four rooms of wall paper, where sizing hadn’t been done, and then painted the whole house, stair well included. I don’t remember being sore at all. Now it’s a different story: we both were sore for two days after our latest painting project.

As I was thinking about this, I couldn’t help but be reminded that although my physical body may be wasting away, my inward being, which is my spiritual life, is being renewed and can even get better with time if I’m doing those things which allow this to happen. I can get better with age! That’s definitely something I want to happen. For quite a few years I’ve known that it’s a deep desire of mine to be one who ages with grace. So, what are some things I’m learning that can help insure that I’m aging with grace? Here’s the checklist I’ve come up with so far:

1. Am I practicing having a thankful heart?
2. Are the words out of my mouth words of a complainer and whiner?
3. Do I exercise consistently?
4. Am I eating healthy?
5. Do I spend quality time with people I love?
6. Do I cultivate my friendships?
7. Do I have ways of getting out of myself by serving others?
8. Am I getting enough sleep?
9. Are there any areas of resentments, bitterness, or unforgiveness I need to get rid of?
10. Am I enjoying doing the things that cause me to thrive and grow in an intimate relationship to God? Do I take time just to be still with God?

I believe that these are daily practices that will move me forward in aging with grace. I love the words Paul spoke in 2 Corinthians 4:16 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. “