Being only 5 years away from 40, I find myself looking closer and closer at the clock. On a visit over the weekend, we visited family which were facing some tough choices about their aging parents. My wife's grandfather, is 87 years old! And he's lived an incredible life! When I look back on my life, and I pray that God gives me a life like my wife's grandfather, long and full of years.
He has a great thing going for him--his faith, his family and his church. His church is doing it's part to take care of him, visit him, be there for him, and I'm glad. He was a leader in that church for many years, it would be a shame if he were forgotten. With all the emphasis on the young and vibrant and up and coming church, we must not forget those who went before us and laid a foundation.
"Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days." -Job 12:12
2 comments:
True. I think that would be a major mistake of a church to ignore the aging. May we not do that.
I agree. I have a passion for the elderly. It hurts a lot when I see them neglected, especially by the church. It shows to the world and to these people's families that we really don't value people for the right reasons. We don't always practice what we preach. What an awesome ministry we are missing out on when we don't take care of our elderly. So many of the elderly have family members that don't know God or follow Him yet - and when we don't give back to these elderly and these family members see that -- what message is that giving them?
I want to make sure SS understands a person's value isn't in their roles, their productivity, their contribution... it's in who created them - whose child they are. I think Southside is extremely unique in that we are trying to attract & retain people across the whole spectrum of society. I believe churches should be a micro-cosm of the greater society - not only one certain type of people. I pray that we retain & love on every 'type' of person at our church.
His message is universal - it is the common denominator that can unify all peoples despite differences we may have.... I pray we continue to make all feel welcomed and a part of what we're doing. I don't know many other churches (none that I know of in this community) that have done a great job of retaining people across the spectrum of age/race/sex/whatever.... I think that's a great niche for us!!
Thanks for recognizing & acknowledging this group.
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