Jack Hager

Those great theologians John, Paul, George and Ringo sang “What a drag it is getting older” in their 1966 tune “Mother’s Little Helper” (which addressed medicine chest junkies – of which my mother was one).

Yeah, at 78 years of age I get that getting older is a process affected (infected?) by change; but it need not be a drag.

I’ve got kidney disease and multiple myeloma. I have to be very careful that I don’t fall (blood thinners make ‘normal’ boo boos possibly catastrophic). I thus don’t walk fast as I used to. I rise and sit carefully. Yeah, I’ve got cancer – but cancer does NOT have me!

The only felt side effect of my treatments for the blood cancer thing is fatigue. A nap is a wonderful thing – unless you MUST take a nap. So almost every day a 90 minute or so siesta is demanded.

But…my wife loves me, I am part of a wonderful church, I remain active in various aspects of ministry…and I continue to 2 Peter 3.18 (look it up!)

And the great mystery is what such a young guy like me is doing in such an old body.

At the end of the day it simply comes down to attitude.

I don’t want to groan about aging. I don’t want to compare illnesses with others. I don’t relish the fact that snap crackle pop used to be a cereal commercial – now it’s me!

But my “times are in His hands.”

So instead of the Beatles, here’s an appropriately titled song from another British invader – from 1964:

When I turned fifty I began regularly praying for twenty more years of effective ministry. I still pray that prayer. One of my goals has been to be the oldest Christian youth worker, and I may well have reached it…but I’ll keep going as long as the Lord allows.

If my wife or others I trust begin to point out that my preaching and teaching are confusing or whatever…I’ll reluctantly hang it up. But I’ll write until I can’t.

And I’d love for you to follow along by subscribing to and reading this blog.

And I’d love to try to answer ANY questions you may have – simple comment or email me at jack.hager@gmail.com.

At this point I still have a full deck – I just shuffle slower now.