Grey Hair

I was in my mid-twenties when I noticed my first gray hair.  I promptly plucked it out (Ouch!).  Problem solved … except it wasn’t.  More and more gray ones invaded my coal-black locks; pulling them became an exercise in futility.  My children suggested Grecian Formula.  I told them, “No, I earned every one of these!”

    My vanity has long since subsided.  What hair I have left is nearly all gray (or is it silver?  white?).

    Solomon wrote, “The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head (Proverbs 20:29).  All kidding aside, gray hair is nothing of which to be ashamed.  Generally it indicates age, and we hope that with age comes some wisdom.  I’ve seen a few gray heads that really were splendorous, though I think I wouldn’t count my own among them!

    Under the Law of Moses, God commanded: “You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:32).  Your parents probably taught you, as did mine, “Respect your elders.”  I commend young folks in any congregation when they treat older people with courtesy and respect.  It speaks well for them and for their parents.

    Again it was Solomon who wrote, “The silver-haired head is a crown of glory if it is found in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31).  Age doesn’t guarantee good behavior.  We who have attained senior citizen status owe it to the young to conduct ourselves with integrity.  It’s easy to respect someone if they are acting respectably!

    If you don’t have gray hair yet, just wait – you will!  Be sure you are found in the way of righteousness.

                                    By Joe Slater (revised)