Elders
Senior Barbie...Denial
How many times do we see 60-70 year old women and men who would rather spend their time trying to look and act like they did when they were 27? Instead of embracing their eldership, they are too busy looking backward and trying to turn back the hands of time. If I had a nickel for every “look younger now” scheme on the market, I would be a multimillionaire (and actually, the manufacturers already are!) Hasn’t life taught you anything, dear elder? The fountain of youth is a myth; quit searching. Why not revel in the ability to lead younger generations of people in the ways of right living, so as to help them avoid some of the pitfalls of life? As I walk around within the community, I see more and more middle-aged folk imitating these fruitless self-driven desires of the misled elder folk: 40 year olds trying to look and behave like they are 17 again… grown women who would rather look like girlfriends with their 15 year old than to enjoy the differences between their womanly body and the girlish figure of their offspring. Creepy.
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I’ve been blessed to have several encounters with good elders in my life. Two are from our own (my husband’s and my) family; and at least two or three have befriended me within my walk of life. I must tell you something: there is no better feeling than to express your current season to somebody who has watched the seasons come and go for seven or eight decades. They can tell you stories of “way back when…” or “the first time that happened to me…” I’ve learned home remedies and healthcare alternatives, child-raising techniques, lessons on humility and kindness, and I have gained a pride in my past and what my people have endured so that I can be where I am today. Such an appreciation sets me on the right track in my thinking; linking the past with the present, and giving hope for the future. Why wing it when you can access years and years of experience? The Bible says, “You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord” (Lev. 19:32). Further, “Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father…” (1 Tim. 5:1)
Like a Mule
There also exists the stubbornness of an inexperienced generation who finds no real value in the advice, teaching, or presence of an elder in their life. Even when there exists a quality, godly elder in the life of some of these young people, they ignore and even ridicule the advice given them. These unpracticed, unlearned, untried, and unversed fledglings can be found of most any age. They may be teens, 20’s, 50’s, 60’s, or older – any age…constantly seeking; always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Tim. 3:7). Constantly starting over, beginning again, or “getting themselves together”, however, can never humble themselves to be taught! These types are always thinking that the thoughts and opinions of good, godly elders is outdated, old fashioned, or not for today. Meanwhile, the answers are easily accessible if they would learn to receive from those who have walked decades and gathered a plethora of information that can be of eternal reward. "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry" (1 Sam. 15:23).
Once Upon A Time…
In many primitive,
ancient, and more traditional cultures, elders are some of the most protected
and coveted prized possessions of the community. An “Elderly Home”? A “Convalescent
Community”? –Completely unheard of. Families live three to four generations
within a home; pooling finances and resources to further accomplish the goal of
sustaining grandmother and grandfather’s “live in” status, as well as provide
for the younger members of the family. Imagine the ownership, declaration,
commitment, and pride: “This is my tribe. My people. My past, and my future.”
There exists the accountability of having the elders nearby, and then the
responsibility of the same. In the case of a working family member, the
“Daycare Center” is obsolete in the above-mentioned home, because the aged take
pride in rearing the young of their young. This is the future of their
people…their heritage. So, great-grandfather would not hear of you dropping his
latter offspring into the hands of a stranger. Sound like a fairy tale? Well it
wasn’t…just a short time ago.
Life is not all
about us, dear reader. Our cars. Our houses. Our stuff, stuff, AND MORE
stuff!!! How much “stuff” can we manage to love on? Life is about
relationships: Relationship with the Creator through His Son, Jesus Christ, and
relationship with others – those precious humans created in the Image of the
Author of the Universe.
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True Beauty
The elderly are beautiful. Each line on their faces...each cracked smile...each tear in their eye as they tell stories of times gone by and lost friends of days of old - beautiful. When a godly elder begins to speak, we should quiet our mouths and our hearts should give attention. Give attention to those who can add to your life many years of understanding. Many of them have been wounded and broken, yet they have survived. They have survived and they are living...looking...searching to you and I to carry on their torch and to make their work worthwhile in seeing our accomplishments as fruits of their labors. In us...in our children...their faces become young again. Their hearts rejuvenated. Youth revived.
Elders: don't despise your eldership. Pour out. Our world needs you and is crying out for godly leadership. We don't need a community of solely young people, we need a blended community of the old and the young as we continue to change the world for the glory of Jesus Christ.
Young people: respect your elders. Honor your father. Honor your mother. Consider yourself blessed if you have a godly mother and father. If you still have your grandparents, sit with them...listen to them...love on them.
Thanking God for loving and patient elders...still sitting and listening...
We love and honor you...
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