Goin’ on Social Security…and I’ve still got it goin’ on! (So do YOU!)

“If ya can’t beat ’em, join ’em” was a favorite saying of my mother’s! Today, I’m “joining ’em”…the millions of lovely folks-of-a-certain age who are on Social Security. I signed up on-line, and should get my first check in January of 2024 — I will be 67 1/2.

I’m actually quite thrilled about it.

Instead, I just choose to express: I am thankful that for the rest of my life, a monthly check will be deposited into my bank account. Not enough to live on, but a nice supplement to my other retirement savings/resources. Thank you employers, thank you “me.” Receiving Social Security will be a blessing. A hard earned badge of perseverance and a benefit of living and working in the good ol’ USA. I’ll take it!! I’m also grateful for the Social Security safety net (albeit limited) for those who have never worked, who are disabled, or who have other special needs.

In my younger years, the words “Social Security” conjured up a vision of bent silver-haired elderly folks with walkers or canes shuffling slowly, or spending their days knitting in a rocking chair. What was I thinking? I’m 67 not 87! Yes, there are many dear people who fit that picture to a tee. As a matter of fact, Maxine, my 89-year-old spry next-door neighbor, who moves slowly, and who has experienced heart problems, showed up at our community costume party in a furry leopard onesie! LOVE HER!!! I hope to join the ranks of the honored “elderly” someday. And, it could be that I need a cane or wheelchair or some other assist sooner than later. But sheesh…I’m feeling a bit chagrined about my own past assumptions I made about “older” folks — folks like me!

Sadly, in the past, instead of listening intently to some of the older people in my life who shared their wisdom, I was distracted and not fully engaged…kind of respectfully dismissive. (Now that’s an oxymoron!) I then went merrily along my own way, thinking their advice was outdated or irrelevant, and that we “younger peeps” were the ones who “had it goin’ on.” My kids and grand-kids do that with me now some of the time. Though they are not saying, “OK, Boomer” out loud, my guess is that they are thinking it!

I get it. That’s OK. I confess that I was guilty of the same thing, to some extent. These days, I’m trying to get better at not offering unsolicited advice (especially to my adult children and grandchildren)…because if it’s not solicited, it probably won’t be received. At 67, I truly respect MY elders…knowing the wisdom that they possess. Conversely, I also am admonished (by the Bible in 1 Timothy 4:12) to not think less of someone because of their youth. They are energetic and possess knowledge and skills that I do not.

However, this is what I do know: We “older folks” still got it goin’ on! As a matter of fact, we probably have MORE “goin’ on” NOW than we did in our 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, and even 50’s! What’s the “IT” that’s “goin’ on” in addition to aching joints, wrinkles, a new blotch or spot, and gray hair? Or, on a more serious note, the “it” going on could be something like the loss of a loved one, enduring chronic pain, or discovering one has a terminal illness. Many of us have several of these old-age things goin’ on.

But, we’ve also got THIS goin’ on: Our lived experiences — having seen many ups and downs in the economy, living through wars and rumors of wars, having watched with amazement vast scientific, medical and technological advances. We’ve had jobs, lost jobs. We’ve had success, we’ve experienced failures. We’ve made good choices and plenty of mistakes. We’ve raised our kids, and now many of our grand-kids are coming of age. We’ve been there, done that! We’ve seen A LOT, done a lot, and we’ve lived through it — the good, the bad, and the ugly. We have gained some hard earned wisdom.

Another wise saying from my mom: “Don’t sweat the small stuff…and it’s almost ALL small stuff.” Now that we’ve lived through emotional, physical, financial, and spiritual ups and downs…(some very high ups, and some very low downs)…many of us now give assent to the truths found in the book of Ecclesiastes, that much of life is “vanity”… “chasing after the wind” (verse 1:14). And, that “there is a time for every purpose under heaven” (verse 3:1).

Ecclesiastes shows us in stunning ways that the key to life is not in life itself. Pleasure, materialism, wisdom, and money are all futile and folly. True happiness comes from centering our lives on God, not ourselves.

Roy Zuck

For me personally, here’s what keeps ME “goin’ on:” My FAITH. Since I was about 19, my faith in Jesus Christ has been my reference point. But in these “latter years” I have finally learned to “cease striving,” and to “be still and know that HE is God,” (Psalm 46:10). I try not to control things or people any more. I don’t panic so much when things go “wrong” in my eyes, instead, I pray. I trust God, I rest in Him, and by golly…I sleep much more peacefully now than I did in my often angst-ridden younger years/decades. It is good to be “old” (yes, I said it!) when it comes to truly having peace! I know that there is no good work or bad slip ups (past, present or future) that can pluck me out of His hand (John 10:28). So, I treasure each day as though it might be my last, because I see the truth of the scripture that says, I am “like grass” — quick to wither and to be forgotten. I know I will leave this earth someday…maybe soon, maybe in 20-30 years. God only knows! Today, with my Social Security filing as my catalyst, I find myself pondering these truths without fear. I rejoice in this day, the days to come, and whatever God chooses to send my way.

And THAT, my friends, is my true security! God’s got it goin’ on, and keeps ME goin’ on! Amen and Amen!

(P.S. This particular Sunday blog post is chocked full of “God-stuff.” If you ever want to chat with me more about my faith or yours, please feel free to contact me at: sheddingsunshine@gmail.com.)