When we think of growing older sometimes we think of grumpy old men (or women) who are so set in their ways there is no amount of arguing or persuasion that will change how they look at things. In one sense it is expected because of all the years of life they’ve lived, you would think that they learned some things along the way. But, on the other hand we all know of sweet older men and women who delight in serving others and even though they may have quite a few opinions about things, they don’t let those be known unless they are asked.
While I was reading in John chapter 9 this morning about the blind man that was healed it struck me that the first response from some was to ask why Jesus was healing on the Sabbath. It really is absurd to focus on what the healer did wrong when a man who was blind has been completely healed. Those who asked about the law being broken were so set against Jesus that they overlooked a miracle that happened right in their midst. How tragic for those people that so stubbornly chose to reject the answer to all their prayers because it didn’t happen in the way they imagined it would.
This illustration causes me to reflect on my own stubbornness and pride. What things am I overlooking because I am focusing on my own desires or the way I think things should happen? I notice that when I take the time to really slow down and pray about the things that are before me, often times my mind can be radically changed about matters that are before me. Slowing down is hard and oftentimes is looked down on because we feel like we are not productive when we slow down. Could it be that our most productive times are actually when we slow down and rest and ponder and pray?
Jill Johnson 
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