One of the responses to the worship email Charles sends out each week quoted Psalm 92:14:
In old age [the righteous] still produce fruit;
they are always green and full of sap.
I was privileged to witness this truth first-hand again on Thursday. Londiwe and I visited Thelda’s small group so that our ‘elders’ could teach us about life in the golden years. We met in Hester’s home. Hester turns 90 this year so it was a good group to visit.
Our time with Hester, Colleen, Thelda, Daphne, Ethel and Minnie was the highlight of my week. They were honest about the struggles associated with increasing frailty – yet without bitterness. Indeed it seemed clear to me that, though the bodies of “the righteous” may weaken, faith grows. Mature disciples see God’s presence more clearly, feel their neighbours need more keenly and respond to God’s leading more willingly. In old age one is more conscious of the Ash Wednesday words “you are dust and to dust you will return”. Yet, I learned that when we live in constant awareness of our mortality, each day is received as a gift from God full of possibilities to bear fruit. Wise words, kind acts, friendly visits, heartfelt prayers flow effortlessly from those who have followed Jesus for many years.
I pray that our worship on Sunday and our Lenten Disciplines would give us hope for growing old; may older generations be inspired to bear much fruit and younger generations be stirred to follow their example. God Bless, Sean