Good People, Too

My husband, sister-in-law, and I do a Sunday church service once a month for members of a local assisted living community. We have done it since October of last year, so this past Sunday was our 7th meeting. My husband is a very accomplished pianist, and the residents love to listen to him play. He has developed rather a “fan club,” because he is willing to play, sometimes for a whole extra hour, as long as they are willing to listen. My sister-in-law has a lovely and anointed soprano singing voice. The two of them together lead hymns and offer special songs for the service. I am a teacher, so I teach a fifteen-or-so minute lesson. There is always scripture reading and prayer. Whenever we visit, we try to bring a small gift for each attendee, nothing extravagant, but something that tells them “We are thinking about you”–a rose, a prayer card with a nice picture, a Christmas tree ornament, etc.

On our last visit, a woman said something to me that broke my heart. She said, “We are so glad when you come. People don’t come real often. I don’t understand. We’re good people, too.”

I told her that we love to come and visit them and we love seeing each one of them.

It made me so sad that she felt like she needed to remind us that they are good people, too, and deserve a little attention. Of course, that is true!

God agrees! They Are Good People, Too

“Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old,” says Job 12:12. First Kings 12:6 tells us that Solomon once sought the expertise of older men who helped him make important decisions about the kingdom of Israel. And Joel speaks for God: “In the last days, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions (2:28).

Obviously, even in the last days, our elders are good people, too. So why is it so difficult to face aging with dignity?

What Scripture Says About Aging in Grace & Wisdom

A blog post from Colorado’s Bethesda Senior Living Community says, “Many adults struggle with the aging process, but growing older has numerous benefits … Your wisdom helps you connect with fellow seniors, but it also makes you an inspiration for younger generations. As you progress through your golden years, cast your fears aside and remember what Scripture says about aging gracefully.”

THE LORD LOVES YOU

God promises to stay by your side from birth until your final days. “I will be your God throughout your lifetime — until your hair is white with age,” He says in Isaiah 46:4, adding, “I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” You are never alone, even when you feel weary or anxious.

God will never abandon you, and He will work tirelessly to help you grow in the image of the Lord. His work is never done as long as you are on earth. Philippians 1:6 reminds us of God’s plans, stating, “For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

OLDER ADULTS ARE WISE

As you navigate your senior years, you develop invaluable experience. You learn more about yourself, the Lord, your loved ones, and the world around you. These experiences should not be discredited by others, as God believes in your knowledge.

“Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old,” says Job 12:12, reminding us of the value of speaking with older adults. First Kings 12:6 tells us that Solomon once sought the expertise of older men who helped him make important decisions about the kingdom of Israel. King Rehoboam follows Solomon’s lead, asking his elders, “How do you think I should answer the people?”

SENIORS DESERVE RESPECT

The Bible says we should honor our elders. Elihu did not always agree with Job’s actions, nor did he appreciate the arrogance of Job’s other friends. However, in Job 32:4, Elihu waits until Job finishes speaking to voice his criticism because he feels it’s the right thing to do as a younger man.

Other scriptures agree.

Leviticus 19:32 ESV

“You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.

1 Timothy 5:1 ESV

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers …

1 Peter 5:5 ESV

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

DISCOMFORT IS TEMPORARY

Our earthly bodies become weary as we age, and you may also notice aches or pains. Take comfort in knowing the Lord shall renew your strength, according to Isaiah 40:31. “Then they’ll soar on wings like eagles; they’ll run and not grow weary; they’ll walk and not grow tired,” promises this comforting verse.

Second Corinthians 4:16-17 echoes this sentiment, stating “Though outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are renewed day by day. Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine.” God has big plans for you, and you will have an eternity of everlasting joy when you enter heaven’s gates.

We are promised that in the future, God’s dwelling place will be among the people, and he will dwell with them. “They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4).

Since God does not operate within the confines of time, we will not operate within the confines of time either. Aging will no longer happen!

SENIORS CAN GUIDE OTHERS

Seniors still have a purpose! Whenever possible, seniors should help younger generations in need. This is evidenced by passages such as Psalm 71:18, which says “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.”

Youth and adults may need assistance choosing a righteous path, and your experience can guide them. Share Scripture about the joys of serving the Lord, or volunteer in your community. Let others know they are loved, both by you and the Lord above.

Remember Caleb, one of the spies that went into the promised land?

Caleb’s strength was not his own; he was strong in the Lord. “If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it us.” The Lord said of Caleb that he “hath followed me fully.” Therefore, Caleb received a promise from the Lord:

Lessons from the Life of Caleb

“At first glance, it’s probably not apparent as to why Judges 1:10 would prompt a devotional titled, “Lessons from the Life of Caleb.” After all, Caleb’s name isn’t even referenced in this verse. Well, while an exposition of this verse does not directly provide lessons from Caleb’s life, it does incite a walk down memory lane, biblically-speaking.

“First, Judges 1:10 comes at the front end of a flashback of Judah’s victories during the time of Joshua. So as to create a little context, here’s a brief synopsis of the verses that precede the flashback. The Book of Judges begins with the Lord telling the children of Israel that Judah should be the first to go up against the Canaanites (vs.2). Judah responded to the call and asked Simeon to go with him (vs.3). Together they killed 10,000 men at Bezek (vs.4), captured Adoni-Bezek (vs.5), and brought him to Jerusalem where he later died (vs.7). Then, in the verses that follow, a flashback begins and we see a few references to Caleb. In Judges 1:10, he is referenced indirectly; in verses 12 through 15 he is one the main characters in a short story involving his daughter and her husband; and in verse 20 his victory at Hebron is recalled. Our attention, however, will be directed to the indirect reference of verse 10, where we read:

“Then Judah went against the Canaanites who dwelt in Hebron. (Now the name of Hebron was formerly Kirjath Arba). And they killed Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.”

“Kirjath Arba is translated ‘city of Arba’ and he (Arba) was the father of Anak (Josh. 15:13b). Second, Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, who are named at the end of Judges 1:10, were the children of Anak (Josh. 15:14). Third, in the Book of Joshua, Caleb is credited with driving them out of the land – ‘Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak from there: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak’ (vs.14). The victory won by Judah was spearheaded by Caleb. The sons of Anak were the ‘giants’ that Moses’ twelve spies reported about when they returned from the land years earlier (Num. 13:22).”

At the time of his victory, Caleb was 85 years old!

God doesn’t limit great accomplishments to elderly Bible heroes!

Those heroes of scripture were good people, but modern-day elderly heroes are good people, too.

In 1932, Audrey Crabtree sustained an injury that caused her to leave high school one credit shy of graduation. Taking care of her sick grandmother, and later getting married, kept her from returning to school. Even though she went on to own a successful flower shop, and to have a large family, she always regretted never graduating. However, 80 years later, Audrey was finally awarded her honorary diploma at age 99, proving that no one is ever too old to achieve something meaningful.

There are many seniors who accomplished amazing things later in life. In fact, many famous people throughout history made their greatest contributions at an older age. They were good people, too:

Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the “Little House on the Prairie” book series, was 64 when she published her first work, Little House in the Big Woods, in 1932. She went on to write seven more books in the series.

Susan B. Anthony was past the age of 80 when she formed the International Woman Suffrage Alliance.

At age 87, Pablo Picasso produced 347 engravings in one year.

Benjamin Franklin was 70 when he signed the Declaration of Independence, one of the 3 documents by the Continental Congress that he helped to write. He did not retire from public service until he was 82.

In 1979, Mother Theresa received the Nobel Peace Prize at age 69 for her work with “Missionaries of Charity,” a world-wide organization that helped the sick, the poor, the dying, and disaster victims through a network of religious houses, schools, hospices, and charity centers in more than 120 countries.

Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better known as “Grandma Moses”, did not start painting until she was 76 years old, after her arthritis made it too hard for her to hold an embroidery needle. Even though she had no formal training, she painted every day for 25 years and produced thousands of paintings. Her simple depictions of farm life were shown all around the world, and when she died at age 101, then-President John F. Kennedy released a statement praising her paintings for inspiring a nation, noting, “All Americans mourn her loss.”

At age 95, Nola Ochs became the oldest college graduate when she received a bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University, Kansas in 2007. She didn’t stop there – she went on to pursue a Master’s degree as well.

Leo Plass dropped out of college one semester before graduation in 1932 during the Great Depression. He was on track to become a teacher, but took a higher paying position in a logging outfit because of the tough financial times. At age 99, he finally completed his degree and received his diploma from Eastern Oregon University.

At age 75, cancer survivor Barbara Hillary became one of the oldest people, and the ﬁrst black woman, to reach the North Pole.

In 2011, 81-year-old Lew Hollander, became the oldest person to ever complete the annual Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, which includes a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile marathon run.

Astronaut and Senator John H. Glenn Jr. returned to space at age 77, and became the oldest person to go into space, a record that remained unbroken for 23 years until 82-year-old Wally Funk flew on a suborbital flight on Blue Origin NS-16 on 20 July 2021. His record was broken quickly on October 13 of the same year by William Shatner at age 90 Glenn, however, remains the oldest person to reach Earth’s orbit.

I’m One of the Good People, Too!

As I see 60 fading into the distance and face 70 with increasing clarity, I realize what a blessing it is to grow old with grace and wisdom. Proverbs 16:31 has become one of my favorite scriptures. “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.”

God bless you, and may He grant you grace, vigor, and dignity in all your days.