orth a blog about me running on empty at times trying to keep up with my schedule. On Monday I worked my way through a short treatise on complaining versus being contented. Just when you think you may have something going as an explanation or an excuse for slowing down a little, suddenly, I find an article about Anna Ray Borho of Leander, Texas who is the pianist of the Presbyterian Church there. She recently turned 100 years old and has been playing there in that Church for 85 years. She must have not seen that memo on mandato
ry retirement! Her Church recently honored her on her 100th birthday. She’s not just a figurehead either, she practices every day and people actually visit her home just to watch her practice.Anyone familiar with characters in the Bible knows that many of the
m accomplished great things even in their older age. Moses lived for 120 years and after all he went through in leading his people, the Bible says that when it came time to die, he was still vibrant and vigorous in his health. Moses had finished his course and it came time for him to fold his tent and move on to higher ground! What about Caleb, a contemporary of Joshua who had a life of faithfulness and courage before the Lord? At 85, Caleb declared his determination to fight the enemy and take hold of his possession on the mountain. He then went out and did that very thing!O
kay, we all know those dudes lived a long time back then. Well, not really, not at least by the time these fellows came along. There are plenty of modern historical figures that have also excelled late into their personal journey here on earth. Michelangelo didn’t begin his work on St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome until he was 70. Gandhi led India in its opposition to British rule when he was 77. Grandma Moses took up painting as a hobby at age 76. Arthur Rubinstein, the great
concert pianist, gave one of his greatest performances ever at Carnegie Hall when he was 89. Mother Teresa was continuing to do her missionary work into her late 80’s. The famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright completed New York’s Guggenheim Museum when he was 89. And, the late Dr. Michael DeBakey performed his last heart surgeries at age 92.T
hese are not very encouraging stories for someone who at times thinks he might just be used up already. On the other hand, they had what they had, and we all have what we have, and the most important thing is to use it all up before we leave this life because we certainly will not take it with us, but for believers, we will be rewarded based on what we did with what we were given. When I talk about retiring I never mean it in the context of sitting down and doing nothing. I
actually see it more as a transition from one working status to a new status where I will be able to pursue other things. It is really hard to sing my sad self pity song when surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses as found in these remarkable testimonials. This will give me something to think about, that is, if I remember to remember to do so. To tell you the truth, I could have done without knowing about Anna Ray Borho! ……..More later.
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