Listening To The Elderly

We can learn a lot from listening to the elderly. This writer used to sit for hours listening to my Aunt Lee tell about the true and exciting stories she was a part of when growing up on a ranch not far from Weatherford, Texas. She lived through Indian uprisings and the horse and buggy era, when life wasn’t near as pleasant as it is now.

Similarly, brother Jeff Jenkins, preacher for the Lewisville, Texas congregation, has experienced similar stories, garnered from an elderly gentleman by the name of Harry. Harry lives in the retirement home across the street from the church building and enjoys studying his Bible with brother Jenkins along with several other elderly residents.

Over a period of several visits, Jeff has learned the following “Lessons From My Friend Harry” that we as children of God should adhere to:

1) Be kind to everyone.
2) Invite others to church.
3) Love life.
4) Spend some quality time with wise people who have experienced life.

Beloved, we can garner much wisdom from folks who have lived longer than we have and as a result have acquired a vast library of wisdom (Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 9:9). Let us never belittle or dishonor the elderly who have much to teach those of us with less experience in facing the problems of life. Rather, let us “rise before the gray headed, and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:32; cf. 1 Timothy 5:1).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets

Related Articles:

• Don’t Get Old!
• The Care Of The Elderly