| Towels Talk - article by Joel Hempel A couple of weeks ago, we were having computer problems. First, Word Document wasn’t working, then our Wi-Fi kept going out. It was frustrating. Thankfully, God made people who are electronically savvy, so I called our support service. As you know, these tech guys can work remotely on your computer. As we are talking and as Buddy moves around my computer at lightning speed, he says: Joel, I need to excuse myself for a moment. I forgot I have laundry in the dryer that’s overdue to come out. Joel: I understand. Go ahead. Buddy: (a few minutes later) I’m back. Joel: Did you get your clothes out before they were a mess? Buddy: Oh, they’re just towels. Towels work wrinkled. As you might have guessed, Buddy was talking not only about his laundry, but also, inadvertently, about older adults. I love young people. I used to be one. But aging happens. Seasons advance. The smooth become wrinkled. But wrinkled works! Yes, we are three, four, even five score years old, but as long as we have breath, we have purpose in God’s kingdom. The righteous flourish like the palm tree, they grow like the cedar of Lebanon . . . They still bear fruit in old age . . . 1 Have you ever noticed that the fruit of the Spirit do NOT require much muscle strength? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.2 These Christian attributes definitely have a born-on date, but they have no age limit. In fact, they have the potential to grow in value. Wrinkled fruit may not look as pretty as it once did, but it is often sweeter, adding richness and depth of flavor. My aging brothers and sisters in Christ, let’s love what we have left. And let’s not let wrinkles get in the way of faithful service to our Lord. Yes, we need to make room for young ideas and fresh insights. But you 30, 40, 50-year-old youngsters out there, we want, no need, to serve alongside you. It’s who we are as Christians. It’s what we do. I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.3 God is great! Grey is good. 1. Psalm 92:12-14 2. Galatians 5:22-23 3. Psalm 146:2 | 
