“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is
being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us
an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things
that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are
transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/2co.4.16-18.esv
Whenever I read this passage, it becomes clear why I can sense those with
strong, beautiful spirits. It also explains why some of my most enriching times
were with Kapuna. Even though many Kapuna usually has more health
challenges, they just seem to have stronger internal spiritual strength. It
reminds me of when I was in my 20s and I was terrified to lose my hair. Now, I
don’t give two hoots about being bald and actually rejoice because I just shave it
off for free instead of paying 30 dollars for a hairstyle. My outer self is slowly
wearing but my inner self gradually transforms closer to God.
As we get older, we are ever reminded that this world is temporary. Most of us
increasingly don’t care about our stuff as we age and focus our energy on the
unseen. As my mom gets older, she spends more time telling me what I am to
do to dispose of her house, farm, and cash. It’s like she is naturally preparing for
something so much better. Her prized things now are our long conversations
together about God and the great memories we both have. Even 5 years ago,
these conversations just didn’t come up very often.
For you younger folks, having long conversations with Kapuna can be so valuable
because Kapuna gradually values the unseen. They value their memories,
relationships, learnings, wisdom, and character-building more and more. As their
outer self wears, their inner self pyramids up. Being younger, it takes a bit to
hone in because our sense of the future is completely different than Kapuna's. Being
younger, most think more of dating, earning money, and acquiring. It’s just so
refreshing looking through the lens of Kapuna because their thoughts in the
future gradually focus on succession and closure on this earth. Their outer sense
of mortality kicks in and their inner sense of what’s more important than is
unseen becomes keen.
God Bless our Kapuna! Their inner sense of what’s truly important is so valuable
for the rest of us.
by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor
Alberta, Canada
