Maybe I forget because I'm old.

Thanks to everyone for your nice words and sympathy and what-not on my insane gray hair post.

Kudos (the granola candy-bar kind, yum) to Peggy and Kelly for pointing me back where my sights belong ~ on God's standard.

Did you know God has something to say about gray hair? I did. But I forgot. I forget. Again and again.

I don't even consider myself wanting to "follow the world" -- I know how messed up our culture is. But boy do I drift easily!

Proverbs 16:31
   Gray hair is a crown of splendor;
     it is attained by a righteous life.

Psalm 25:6-8
6 Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love,
   for they are from of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth
   and my rebellious ways;
     according to your love remember me,
     for you are good, O LORD.
8 Good and upright is the LORD;
   therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.

The Bible tells me, again, that gray hairs are not to be ashamed of. They are a crown of splendor.

While we are young, it is our youth and strength that is glorified. But the standard changes as we age, and at some point our gray hair is a sign of our maturity. Of course, this is not to say that everyone matures equally as they age; Certainly we can all think of some very wise and mature youth, and we can think of some foolish older people.

But, for my part, I know I was rebellious and sinful in my youth; For the longest time I prided myself on being rebellious, I did not even realize that God saw it as a sin. I indulged my rebellion and covered up my sins. The Lord saw. And in His great mercy He not only forgave me, but He called me back, again and again, to the Truth, to His way. He did not leave me to go my own rebellious direction, a path that ends in death and destruction. He reminded me, again and again, that His ways are true, that He is the living God. He has instructed me in His ways, reminded me of the Truth. Sent me good friends to point me back to the Word when I start drifting on faulty auto-pilot.

So I take back my complaining about my graying hair. It may not reflect that I'm mature, but I will cherish it as a sign that He IS maturing me. He will not leave me to the folly of my youth, but will complete the good work He has started in me, for His glory.

And that's what's really important.