175: Getting Older Without Kicking and Screaming: Productivity vs. Fruitfulness

FEATURING: Bob & Alice Fryling 

ORGANIZATION: Aging Faithfully: The Holy Invitation of Growing Older 

Breaking news: people are getting old!  

While aging may not be breaking news, talking honestly – and even laughing a little – about what it means to grow older can be surprisingly refreshing. Alice and Bob Fryling join Jim and Martha for a fun, candid conversation about aging faithfully, retirement, purpose, marriage and the ways God continues to use us in every season of life. 

Drawing from Alice's book Aging Faithfully and their own 55 years of marriage, ministry, career transitions and retirement, the Frylings share both the serious realities and the lighter moments of growing older. They explore the fear of losing abilities and identity, the difference between productivity and fruitfulness, and what it looks like to remain available to God's "holy invitations." Along the way, there's plenty of laughter, including some honest observations about retirement, racquetball, lunch dates, and even the challenges of serving on an HOA board. 

What you'll hear in the episode: 

• Why aging can be such an uncomfortable topic, especially for Christians 

• The fear of losing our ability to serve God in familiar ways 

• Alice's journey from productivity to fruitfulness: the difference between accomplishing tasks and displaying the fruit of the Spirit 

• How Bob's retirement challenged his identity and sense of purpose 

• What it means to live with "holy invitations" and be available to what God brings in an ordinary day 

• Why aging and retirement can look different in our 60s, 70s, and 80s 

• How preparing practically for death can bring freedom and strengthen family relationships 

• Bob's picture from Ezekiel 47 of going with the river and watching for where God brings healing, flourishing, and fruitfulness 

Growing older may change what we can do, but it doesn't mean our usefulness or purpose is over. In fact, as Alice and Bob's story shows, some of the most meaningful opportunities for fruitfulness may come when we're no longer trying to make them happen. Sometimes we simply need to stay available, follow God's lead – and enjoy the journey along the way!

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