The Perishable and the Imperishable

Do you ever think about permanence? In this world of fleeting beauty AND brains, it seems to be that the things we use to measure success are not to be grasped. It is not within our control to decide how long we have what's not permanent, nor to what degree. It doesn't seem fair does it?
If you have a disease or are disabled in other ways, then you have already experienced the loss of strength and health. If you are older, then you know that look of youth, once taken for granted, is now past. I have noticed that it takes me longer to do things, and I have to pace myself to preserve the strength i DO have. When I look in the mirror, I'm reminded I don't look as young as I used to be. The wrinkles and graying hair have now appeared.
On the other side of the coin, I'm glad that my disease is not forever. The bad things in life will not always have to be grappled with.
I just read this in my morning devotions: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:3-5
And this verse: "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers....For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God." 1 Peter 1:18,23
I rejoice to know that God has imperishable, non-fading plans for His own. The inheritance He has waiting for each of His children is nothing like what we inherited from our worldly parents which breaks down. My disease will perish. Even this earth has numbered days, and every system within it.
Here is what we can count on:
"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." 1 Peter 1:24-25
There is joy in knowing the difference between forever and fleeting.
Jesus, thank you that there will be a final end of all suffering, and a new beginning with what we will never lose.