panda_incognito's review
4.0
In this book, Sharon W. Betters and Susan Hunt share their personal stories, explore Scripture passages related to flourishing in old age, and engage with biblical narratives about faithful older women like Anna, Naomi, and Elizabeth. The authors emphasize that even though our culture tends to dismiss older people as irrelevant, weak, and useless, people of all ages have a role to play in God’s kingdom and in the church. Betters and Hunt also include other women’s brief reflections about their life experiences and how they have seen God’s faithfulness in their older years.
Aging with Grace is full of wisdom for Christian women who want to finish their lives well. Many of the stories shared here are very sad, and could be overwhelming and discouraging to some readers, especially when they have gone through similar struggles or are dreading new transitions. However, the authors and other contributors all share hopeful messages about how God has met them in the midst of their difficulties, and they talk about their hope in both this life and the one to come.
One thing potential readers should know is that this book primarily focuses on spiritual elements of aging, not practical advice for “aging with grace” from a more general perspective. Because our culture is so ingrained against accepting physical and relational elements of aging, I would have appreciated more insights and applications into how women can accept their age instead of trying to pursue youth for as long as possible. However, even though I wish that this book had covered other elements of aging more, it provides deep spiritual encouragement for older women, and can be eye-opening and helpful for the people who love and minister to them.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Aging with Grace is full of wisdom for Christian women who want to finish their lives well. Many of the stories shared here are very sad, and could be overwhelming and discouraging to some readers, especially when they have gone through similar struggles or are dreading new transitions. However, the authors and other contributors all share hopeful messages about how God has met them in the midst of their difficulties, and they talk about their hope in both this life and the one to come.
One thing potential readers should know is that this book primarily focuses on spiritual elements of aging, not practical advice for “aging with grace” from a more general perspective. Because our culture is so ingrained against accepting physical and relational elements of aging, I would have appreciated more insights and applications into how women can accept their age instead of trying to pursue youth for as long as possible. However, even though I wish that this book had covered other elements of aging more, it provides deep spiritual encouragement for older women, and can be eye-opening and helpful for the people who love and minister to them.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
adavie's review
5.0
I'm 53 and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It provided some thought provoking challenges and I'm glad I didn't wait until I was older to read it. I read it along with a couple of girlfriends to encourage each other. I appreciate that the authors are just regular experienced Godly women...not having been in the spotlight...authoring book after book, etc. Their insights and examples were very down to earth. It was very positive and encouraging.
stephanieshepherd's review
5.0
Aging with Grace by Sharon W. Betters and Susan Hunt was such a timely book for me and I'm so thankful to have started the new year off with this book. With the honest realization that I've got more years on the back end than I do on the front end, this book was such an encouragement in how to view the future as I desire to live my days for Christ. The authors' quote Tim Keller who says, "Our character and daily life are shaped by what we believe about our future." And I would add to that how we think that God can use us as our energetic younger years are starting to fade away. Obviously, there is still a lot going on in our home, but things are shifting as I no longer have babies, or even young elementary students anymore. The first one will graduated high school in about 18 months and I'm closer to an empty nest than a full one. How do I see myself in those years and my relationship with the Lord?
And, if 2020 has taught us nothing else, life is hard and it is going to stay that way no matter the date on the calendar. And as years pass, there will be even more sickness, relationship trouble, and dreams that don't pan out like I think they should. In those moments, how will I handle them? Will I be bitter and resent the circumstances of those years or trusting and abiding in the one walking through them with me? "We have all experienced some form of barrenness in our relationships and situations, those times where grief or disappointment cut a devastating swath of death through our lives. Those times are our opportunities to cling in hope to the promise that God can do the impossible and make our patched lives flourish." (p. 125-6) Only the Lord can sustain and even in those aging years. He does not forget his own.
"When a rope of many strands is used to pull a heavy load, the weight of the load stretches the strings, pulling them tighter together. The harder the job, the more tightly would the strings become. Wait is an action word. Isaiah explains that waiting with hope, a sometimes exhausting journey, means twisting, ourselves around the Lord and binding ourselves to him." (p. 117) Whether I am waiting for situations to resolve, for answered prayer, for renewed health for loved ones, or for Christ to return, I want to be like that rope, tightly wrapped around the Lord in those circumstances.
And, if 2020 has taught us nothing else, life is hard and it is going to stay that way no matter the date on the calendar. And as years pass, there will be even more sickness, relationship trouble, and dreams that don't pan out like I think they should. In those moments, how will I handle them? Will I be bitter and resent the circumstances of those years or trusting and abiding in the one walking through them with me? "We have all experienced some form of barrenness in our relationships and situations, those times where grief or disappointment cut a devastating swath of death through our lives. Those times are our opportunities to cling in hope to the promise that God can do the impossible and make our patched lives flourish." (p. 125-6) Only the Lord can sustain and even in those aging years. He does not forget his own.
"When a rope of many strands is used to pull a heavy load, the weight of the load stretches the strings, pulling them tighter together. The harder the job, the more tightly would the strings become. Wait is an action word. Isaiah explains that waiting with hope, a sometimes exhausting journey, means twisting, ourselves around the Lord and binding ourselves to him." (p. 117) Whether I am waiting for situations to resolve, for answered prayer, for renewed health for loved ones, or for Christ to return, I want to be like that rope, tightly wrapped around the Lord in those circumstances.
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