Am I An Antique?

by Evelyn Bathe

“S ee, I am doing a new thing!” (Isaiah 43:19). I love antiques. To me, old things have a certain charm about them, filled with history and interest. I personally own a few antiques, but I am really not very knowledgeable about them. I was told once that the criterion for an item’s being considered an antique is that it be 50 years old or older. If that is the case, then I qualify— and some of my belongings are also eligible.

Yeah, I love old things. I love the old hymns that have stood the test of time. Many of them still send chills and thrills to my inner spirit when I hear them or sing them.

Although I love old things, I also get excited about new things! I love the newer, contemporary worship and praise music, and I love the thrill that I feel when I hear or sing them too. My car radio is usually attuned to the Message, although my husband occasionally turns it to enLighten, the Southern Gospel music station. He likes old things too!

Although I am sometimes slow to accept newer fads, fashions, and trends, I still love the new—new ideas, new ways of doing things, new insights. Yes, I know every new thing a person tries doesn’t always work or endure the test of time. The newest ideas are not necessarily the best ideas, but the fact that people are thinking up new things proves that there are optimistic people who are not satisfied with the status quo and think things could be better. LPs and 8-tracks may well be considered antiques now, but they were important steps in the chain of events that brought us DVDs!

A news story in the recent past told of a church closing its doors for the purpose of getting rid of the aged membership, and later reopening with only the young as members. There are those who believe it’s time for the old to step back and let the young take over. There must be a place for all of us! While the young bring new energy, excitement, and fresh, innovative ways of doing things, the old bring stability, wisdom, and encouragement, and they preserve legacy. My husband, given half a chance, can strike up a conversation with anybody, anywhere! In a conversation once with a man in his 80s, he discovered what church the elderly gentleman attended and commented on the beauty of the new sanctuary just built. The man (I hesitate to call him “old” because of his wonderful mindset!) responded with excitement and pride and said, “You know, we had an uphill battle with some of the old people, but we persevered and finally got our new building!” You may feel safe living in the “comfort zone” of the past, but I don’t want to be like the person who said, “Wheels—who needs ’em?” or, “Computers—who needs ’em?” (or you fill in the blank!). I want to be an active advocate of the upgrade and update! I want to go broadband, embrace the iPad, and appreciate my GPS (even when it sometimes doesn’t choose the quickest route for me)! Life is too short and too important to live in the past. Bring on the changes! Just be patient with me until I can get in my Scooter and go with you! My body may move a little slower, but my mind and my spirit may very well be yelling for you to catch up!

About The Author

Evelyn Bathe is the wife of Joseph, mother of Jonathan, and grandmother of Brooklyn and Jackson. She has been a speaker for youth, women, and marriage conferences and served in various Christian ministries. Evelyn and her husband retired from pastoring and presently attend Peerless Road Church in Cleveland. Follow Evelyn’s blog at evelyntbathe.wordpress com.

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