Growing Old and Going Crazy

“Growing old and going crazy” –

Something most of us have heard.

Old wives’ tale, I guess that that is –

Maybe real, more likely – absurd.

Some die young, but most grow older.

We’re not promised how long our life.

Each of us will face some problems –

Many good times, sometimes strife.

Sometimes “crazy” is simply meanness.

Aging’s not the problem here.

Bound up in bad is some folks’ habits.

Like dirt, it’s sin that some will wear.

Some act crazy, silly, pompous – 

Nothing that has to do with age.

A crazy rant might be emoting.

The actor might be quite a sage.

Be godly, gracious. Don’t become grouchy.

It’s possible, whether young or old.

Yes, it takes work but I can do it

I aim – and live in the Good Shepherd’s fold.

- by Netagene. I wrote this in a few minutes the evening of April 23, 2013, during worship (shame on me!), using a couple of lines I had scribbled, said by preacher David Holder, during another of his sermons, at the Huffman church of Christ, Birmingham, Alabama. David is from Nashville but has lived and preached for the Castleberry church in Fort Worth, Texas, for years.