Verse of the Day - Isaiah 46:4

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. ~ Isaiah 46:4 (NIV)

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Those of us who are under the age of, say 60, can be rather critical of senior adults, when they drive too slow, or take too long paying in line, or don't hear what you said...three times. But I always say, "Be careful how you talk about old people -- one day you'll be one!"

God cares for us through all the ages of our lives, and He made sure to let us know through His word that we matter to Him, even when our bodies don't work like they used to, and our minds are even worse. He still loves us and carries us through our golden years -- years that often don't feel very golden.

Nursing homes are filled with old folks who look lost, alone, and afraid. They are dependent on others to feed and clothe them, to do simple things like get out of a chair or brush their hair. How hard that must be to endure when they used to be so vibrant! And the younger set can tend to minimize their lives, as "over the hill", "beyond their prime", or tragically, an inconvenience.

Or what about those in our churches who are sometimes affectionately called "the silver saints"? Does the younger set diminish them because they don't worship the same way? If they don't clap their hands and dance in their church service, does that mean they're just "ol' fuddy duddies" or "crusty crabs"? We need to be very careful how we think about those silver saints, because God has them in His hands, just as much as the Boomers and Next-ers.

Forgive us, Lord, for not loving senior adults and the elderly the way You do. Help us to show respect as we would desire respect, and to show your love to them in tangible ways . . . with a hug, a smile, or a card. Thank You, God, for reminding us that You love and care for them...and let us never forget that, if you grant us a long life, we will be them one day.

Love,
Joelene