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WHEN
YOU'RE AN OLD COOT
by
Russ Lawson
I've been rereading a book that about a year ago my daughter-in-law
and son gave to me. Looking back on it I figure they are making a
statement about me, and they may not be too far off the mark. The
title of the book is When I'm An Old Coot: Witticisms For People
Who Refuse To Grow Old Gracefully. I got to thinking about that
and thought I'd do a little research. Just in case you are not
familiar with the word, "coot," it is defined in this way: "a
harmless simple minded person”; used in this way, "Don't mind him,
he's just a crazy old coot." (Webster's Dictionary)
Humm, makes me begin to rethink the nature of the gift? No, really,
I know it was just a gift that was given in fun, I think! Actually,
I know why they thought of me for a book with this title. It is
because I don't usually make the expected decisions or do the things
that "folks of my age” are normally expected to do. I know that more
than one person has thought my decision may at the least be
questionable (by accepted, safe, comfortable standards).
I also got to thinking about the word, "gracefully." It is defined
as: "pleasing or attractive in line, proportion, movements or
actions." Humm, again not me! I don't fit into any of those
categories.
So, let me see if I understand this: I'm an old crazy person who is
not always pleasing or attractive in my actions. Probably a few of
you can identify with me in these things (or not). The truth is, I
don't mind being different (if you hadn't guessed), but especially I
don't mind being different from the world, seen as crazy, don't fit
in, not pleasing or acceptable in my attitudes or actions to the
worlds views. If fact, that is even biblical!
Take a look at what Peter wrote to Christians in 1 Peter 4:3-6. In
a nutshell, it basically explains...You have had enough in the past
of the evil things that godless people enjoy, their immorality and
lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their
terrible worship of idols. Of course, your former friends will think
you are crazy when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and
destructive things they do. So they'll call you a crazy old coot or
simple minded. But remember that they will have to face God, who
will judge everyone, both the living and the dead. That is why the
Good News was preached to those who are now dead, so although they
were destined to die like all people, they now live forever with God
in the Spirit (Paraphrased by R.L.)
Forgive my taking a few liberties with the scripture, but I believe
it contains the thoughts of the original message. As I said I don't
mind being different from those around me, when it comes to pleasing
God. What about you? |
