by Mary Brownwing

Created on: August 23, 2009

I recently enjoyed the awesome performances of Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and John Cougar Mellencamp during the ballpark tour so I can unequivocally state the fact that these people are as powerful in their talent today as they were 'yesterday'. Yes, I know that John Mellencamp is not it the same age bracket as our Bob and Willie, but there are a great many 'old heads' still out there bringing life, light and joy to many fans. I see that Van Morrison and Leonard Cohen are touring now and they are both men that I would love to see on stage again. Most of the musicians we think of as old are still working and certainly not embarrassing themselves at all. Touring together this Fall I see Maurice White and his band, Earth Wind and Fire along with Walter Parazaide and his band Chicago!

God has given each one of us great gifts and many talents. I thank Him that those who exercise His gifts do not feel that since they reach a certain age that it is time to hang it all up and sit in a corner somewhere. Actually, consider the age of some of the Biblical heroes of old, consider Moses and Job and Jared and even Noah.

If getting old really does mean to quit living our society would be artistically deprived and impoverished. If Anna Mary Robertson Moses believed she was too old to do anything we would not have the comfort of the illustrations of the story by Clement Moore A Visit from St. Nicholas that we now know as 'Twas the Night before Christmas' which she drew when she was 100 years old. The problem that Grandma Moses faced around the age of 76 was her arthritis, the poor old lady had to give up her joy of embroidering and took up a paintbrush instead! Within Four years Grandma Moses was a beacon of light and encouragement to artists world-wide.

If getting old means one cannot tour around the country and touch the hearts and souls of people I suppose William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr., should have put on his slippers and called it a night when he was 71 years old. Instead he became the first evangelist of note to bring the salvation message behind the Iron Curtain. Since that time in the early 1990's Billy Graham stood with shocked and grieving Americans following the Oklahoma City bombing then again led us in prayer after the 9/11 tragedy. In 2005 after he had spent 15 years suffering from Parkinson's disease, battled with hydrocephalus, pneumonia, broken hips, and prostate cancer and feeling that his poor old body was wearing out he planned his retirement. But the troubles and agony of this world's people needed his ministry so even though he was so frail he came to New Orleans with his son and held the "Festival of Hope" for the folks after Katrina.

Gifts, talents, service and the life force of energy are gifts from our Creator. When HE tells us we are too old to use them then I guess we will gladly agree to 'rest' from our missions.

http://www.iatwm.com/200605/GrandmaMoses/GrandmaMose s.html

http://www.answers.com/topic/grandma-moses

http://www.billygraham.org/

http://www.ewfandchicago.com/

Just for fun check out the word meaning of Performers here

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Performers

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