Do we remember when we senior citizens were in our 50s and started planning for retirement? Where would we live? Where would we play golf? Where were the best restaurants? Would we move to Florida and enjoy warm winters? Would we want to be close to our family? All these questions, and then we made our decision based on what our enjoyment would be for the rest of our life. Now we are in our 80s and where are we? We are all living longer lives and we are facing many challenges. Suddenly our spouse dies, what do we do? Suddenly our health deteriorates, what's next? Here we are looking back and remembering all the creative, professional, corporate decisions we made and what are we doing now? Are we watching TV all day, or waiting to be entertained by our families, or just sitting around?
Each one of us has special gifts that we are born with. Each of us is totally different with various abilities, personalities, likes and dislikes. When you think of the millions and millions of human beings that have been born in this world by our Creator God, isn't it amazing that no two people are alike. Since we are totally different from another person, why not let that unique, special individuality shine through in our senior years.
For example, I have an 85-year-old friend who was a manager in a large corporation. He now volunteers every week parceling out foods to needy people. When the delivery slows down, he may start 'line dancing' with other volunteers to give some joy to the hundreds of cars lined up. The people waiting for food start laughing and clapping. He is giving himself to others. I have another friend who served as a foreign missionary. She now privately visits senior citizens living in Assisted Living facilities and talks and laughs with them. Another woman helps seniors write their own histories. What a wonderful job because those private stories are treasured by grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Of course, as we age, we do slow down. Maybe more day-time naps, maybe less physical endurance, maybe no car because of our age. But that's why we need to reach out and accomplish something for others. Giving of ourselves makes us feel productive. Something as simple as making frequent phone calls to friends. No, not 'texting', but 'talking'. How about baking delicious brownies for your working neighbors? Are you able to write poetry? That's a special talent. I know someone who writes personal poems and sends them to people she meets. Since we seniors have been immersed in years of business life, we could volunteer our talents by giving talks to community groups which would be appreciated. How about teaching? Not in a formal classroom but by sharing our past experiences.
Basically, we need to find our special niche and DO SOMETHING. Let's not spend time with friends gossiping about other seniors who we are 'jealous of' or 'don't like'. Let's not waste time laughing at other seniors' weaknesses. Let's do something that will result in our lives being remembered for: "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control". Sound familiar? Yes, that's Galatians 5: 22-23.
As we live out our senior years, how do we want to be remembered? We have one life to live and God wants us to live humbly, obediently and righteously. When I review those words that are the fruit of the Spirit, I am reminded of what I can do as I live out my remaining years on earth. First, we all have 'time'. Remember those decades that we 'never had time' to do lots of special things? We were all too busy with business appointments, our children's needs and wants, professional demands, etc. Now I have time to choose what volunteer jobs I want to immerse myself in.
Yes, as we near the end of our physical, earthly life span, how wonderful it will be to know we are living out our purpose in life. That purpose is to be God's ambassadors in this sinful world so that the people we touch will know the eternal love of Jesus. 'GIVING OF OURSELVES' by showing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, we will meet our Lord in Heaven and hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
