Getting older and not so crazy about it

I haven't blogged in while.  Not because I don't like doing it but because the days are literally slipping by.  The days turn into weeks which turn into months and here I am 4 months later attempting to write.

In Isaiah 46:3-4, scripture says "I have created you and cared for you since you were born. I will be your God through all your lifetime, Yes, even when your hair is white with age. I made you and I will care for you."   With such good hairdressers these days, I'm not sure about the hair white with age, but I know that God will be with me all of my lifetime and take care of me for all of my days.

I have been thinking about age or getting older a good bit lately.  I have always thought that I never "felt my age".  I have always thought I was pretty active, played hard, and tried to stay in fairly good shape.  I have loved that feeling.  Well recently things have changed somewhat.  I have been struggling with my hands....lots of pain and not the strength I am used to having.  I finally decided to go to the doctor and have things checked out.  Convinced I either had carpal tunnel or a torn ligament of some sort.  I go, have an xray and wait for the results.  The doctor actually called me with the results and said it with neither of those things.  It was arthritis!  In that moment I felt old as dirt.  Arthritis...isn't that an old persons problem, not mine.  She said it was from the "wear and tear" on your body.  Wear and tear!  Heck had I known I would pay like this for playing hard I might not would have played so hard.   I mean when you are younger you are encouraged to be active, play sports, enjoy life but no one tells you you might pay for it later in life.  As I started to read about arthritis, it stated that this particular kind shows up in women around the age of 55.  BINGO!  For the next four days I am exactly that.   Then I got sad thinking if I hurt this bad at 55, what the heck will 56 bring! 

I have finally put on my big girl panties and realized that no matter what the age of 56 brings, I will have my God, my family and my friends right beside me.  Even though I might be "feeling my age"
I am determined to press through the pain and not let it get the best of me.  My mom has been dealing with arthritis for many years and I rarely hear her complain about it so hopefully I will follow in her footsteps!   Here's to turning another year older.