Today is my mother’s 82nd birthday.
She sent her family an update on her and my father’s health and then gave her four adult children some encouragement about growing old.
Since I was a child, my mother would rise well before the sun and sit at the kitchen table with her Bible, devotional book, and coffee.
Her morning habit continues decades later. Today, on her 82nd birthday, my mother read Charles Spurgon’s classic Morning by Morning devotional book.
She told us the wisdom of Zechariah the prophet, and the commentary from Charles Spurgeon was a great way to begin her birthday.
She inspired me with her words, and I hope to inspire you today with some wisdom from the sacred text and Spurgeon’s commentary.
Happy Birthday, Mom! And thank you for your example, wisdom, and love.

(L to R) – Paul, Mary, Wade, and Rachelle Burleson
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“At evening time there will be light.” Zech. 14:7
We often look with apprehension to the time of old age, forgetting that there will be light at evening time. To many saints, old age is the finest season in their lives. A gentler breeze fans the mariner’s cheek as he nears the shore of immortality. Fewer waves ruffle his sea, and quiet reigns – deep, still, and solemn. From the altar of old age, the flashes of the fire of youth are gone, but the more real flame of earnest love for Jesus remains.
The pilgrims have reached the land of Beulah, that happy country whose days are as the days of heaven upon earth. Angels visit it, heavenly winds blow over it, flowers of paradise grow in it, and the air is filled with angelic music. Some dwell here for years, while others arrive only a few hours before their departure – but it is an Eden on earth.
We may well long for the time when we will rest in its shady groves and be satisfied with hope until the time of completion comes. The setting sun seems larger than when it is high in the sky, and a splendor of glory tints all the clouds that surround its going down. Pain does not break the calm of the sweet twilight of old age, for strength that is made perfect in weakness holds up with patience under it all. Ripe fruits of the finest-quality experience are gathered as the rare meal of life’s evening, and the soul prepares itself for rest.
The Lord’s people will also enjoy light in the hour of death. Unbelief mourns as the shadows fall, the night is coming, and existence is ending. “Ah, no!” cries faith. “The night is almost gone, and the day is near [Romans 13:12]. Light is come – the light of immortality, the light of the Father’s countenance!”
Gather your feet up in the bed. See the waiting company of spirits! Angels carry you away. Farewell, beloved one, you are gone. You wave your hand. Ah, now it is light. The pearly gates are open. The golden streets shine in the jasper light. We on earth cover our eyes, but you behold the unseen!
Adieu, brother. Farewell, sister. You have light at evening time that we do not yet have!
Source: Spurgeon, Charles Haddon. Morning by Morning: Daily Devotional Readings (p. 287). Aneko Press. Kindle Edition. Devotional for October 4th!
What a beautiful post, WADE. Thank you for sharing this with us !
Christiane, you, Rex, my mom, and my dad are my FOUR HEROES when it comes to “growing old.”
I want to be just like you.
Wade, I agree with CHRISTIANE; A beautiful post!
Old story: Before I retired from Ling Temco Vought, I told my supervisor my back hurt so bad I had to see a chiropractor. After he worked me over, he told me to take a hot bath. I picked up our newspaper in the yard and laid it beside the tub. It took a long time and hurt a lot getting into the tub. After I got the water hot as I could stand it, I picked up the newspaper and started to read, but something started wiggling up my stomach. I raised the newspaper, and a snake stopped with it’s forked tong an inch from my nose. You’ve heard “Up from the grave he arose.” Well, that was me rising from the tub feeling no pain.
Oh…my…word. “Up from the grave he arose” indeed! I would probably shout a few choice words that don’t reflect my true Christianity. 🙂 Love you, Rex!