A few short months ago the world was a different place. We used to travel up to our daughter’s place once a week and stay overnight. In the morning, the grandkids would jump into our bed before school. We would laugh and chat and generally strengthen family bonds.

That’s all had to stop now that we are living with self-isolation, social distancing and talking to each other on computer screens.

You may have heard the saying, “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry” (adapted from “To a mouse”, Robert Burns, circa 1785). We had plans to travel interstate (in Australia) to visit family and friends. We had plans to travel overseas and visit one of our sons. Those plans seem remote right now.

As we get older, the world gets smaller. We don’t feel as comfortable to travel, we don’t participate in as many activities and we stay home more often. The world shrinks and shrinks until finally our world is a room with a bed. Well, it feels to me like we all suddenly got old.

Ecclesiastes chapter 12 in the Bible starts off by saying, “Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your creator. Honour Him in your youth before you grow old and say, ‘life is not pleasant anymore.’” (Ecclesiastes 12:1, NLT)

I wonder if God is sending us a message? He has certainly made us an amazing and wonderful promise! If we make the effort to get to know Him now, He has promised that we will never grow old and never be bothered by disease or any other problems. Surely it’s worth exploring?