The first woman is a widow. She has no children by birth, but she has many "adopted" children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She doesn't use the Internet, but she stays in touch by writing letters to her many friends. Her notes and conversation are often punctuated with "Praise the Lord!", but it's not just Christianese. She really means it.
The second woman has one of the sharpest minds I've ever known. She has been an active servant in the church, but age and the effects of the fall are beginning to take its toll. However, this has increased her dependence on the Lord and has given her family the opportunity to serve her in new ways. But even with this limitation, she doesn't miss an opportunity to be with the local church.
The third woman is also a widow who suffers from chronic health issues. It is a severe trial for her, yet she perseveres in the Lord. It has not kept her from serving her family selflessly. She has not lost her wonderful sense of humor and still loves to tell stories of her youth.
These women are in their eighties. Their hair has grown white. Their faces reflect the years, but they are beautiful to me because I see Christ. They probably would never sit me down and give a formal lecture on the perils of midlife, but their lives speak volumes. Through the hard lessons of life, these sisters have learned to rely on God's grace. They have treasured His word and not outgrown the simple message that Jesus lived and died on their behalf. They are not perfect and have had their share of struggles, but God has kept them in the race to this day.
So praise God for the older women in the church. They are a testimony to His preserving power. May we not take our sisters for granted but pray for them, reach out to them, hug them, and encourage them in the Lord.
Who have been your role models? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Even down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.
There is a woman who is about 70, whose husband left her ten years ago, and who has faced a barrage of health issues. She comes to my Sunday school class, and he wisdom is just precious. She has to use a walker to get from her car to the church, but she does it. She adds so much to the class. I'm so thankful for her.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the women in my Tuesday morning Bible study. They are all over retirement age, and the oldest is 93-year-old Buehla, who still drives herself. I learn so much from these gems on the crown of our church. You make such a great point, Persis!
ReplyDeleteThere have been so many older women who have been bright shining testimonies and taught me without words. I regret that I haven't shared with them along the way how they blessed me. One was a lady who retired from teaching earlier than expected under circumstances which could have caused much bitterness, but instead she found new, personal ways to serve. She began to regularly visit a couple of ladies in assisted living and having a couple of ladies at a time to her home for lunch. Others have faced illness and declining functions with grace. I think the key in each case has been that no matter what their circumstances, they've had a vibrant relationship with Christ and a keen interest in others.
ReplyDeleteLoved this Persis. We have an elderly widow at our church - I'm guessing, at least late 80's - She is so tender hearted and is very sharp in the Scriptures. The way she quotes obscure verses and flips around her Bible puts me to shame and whenever anyone commends her for it she humbly shrugs it off. What a role model she is!
ReplyDeleteI'm in my middle years, and would love to have an older woman to learn from.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post. These relationships are always a need in the church as we were all made to be in community. And we learn so much from those who have walked many years not only on this earth but with Jesus. I delight in seeing the women appreciate and learn from "teacher Jane", as they call her, the former pastor's widow at our new church. She has much to offer and has been such an example of love and prayer to all the women.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter in law, Lisa, introduced me to you, Persis, on one of my visits before they relocated to the Pacific Northwest and I have been following this blog for sometime now, thank you.