Walking with God and My Dog

Old Man

For those of us growing into middle age, we might find comfort in: “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life” (Proverbs 16:31). If I compare pictures of Sam from six or so years ago, the most significant difference is the obvious graying of his muzzle. I, too, have developed significantly more gray hair in the past few years. I have come to call Sam “Old Man” on occasion, especially as he develops some arthritic problems. He is stiff when he first wakes up in the morning, jumping on the couch is no longer possible, and climbing steps has become increasingly more difficult. I understand!

My grandmother used to tell me that wrinkles were laugh lines and gray hair showed wisdom. My grandmother was a source of wisdom, of laughter, and certainly a model of a righteous life, as Proverbs tells us. If Sam is that “Old Man,” my grandmother was the wise “Old Woman,” a title she would have relished and in which she would have found no offense.

Today our culture seems very youth oriented. “Old” is a relative term. I remember my oldest grandson Bailey coming home from Bible school when he was five. The generally happy boy was absolutely distraught. I held him on my lap and asked him what was wrong. He replied with tears in his eyes.

“Nana, I don’t want to go to Heaven tonight.”

“I don’t understand, “I replied. “What makes you think you are going to Heaven tonight?”

“Well, we learned today that Jesus comes and takes you to Heaven when you die.”

“That’s true, honey,” I affirmed, “but you are young and healthy. I don’t think Jesus is coming for you tonight. He comes when people are very sick and need to be taken to Heaven to be healed, or when someone is very old and tired.” That should comfort him, I thought. But instead, Bailey began to sob and held on to me tightly.

“Oh, honey, now what is wrong?”

“Nana,” he gasped through broken-hearted tears, “You are kind of old and tired.”

The story is humorous, but illustrates perspective. I guess my “muzzle” looked very gray to the five-year-old Bailey. As I age, I find that 70 is not old at all, whereas when I grew up in the sixties, the false wisdom of that age declared to “trust no one over 30!”

I am repeatedly humbled and awed by the many older people who have shared their faith experiences with me or who by their actions have shown me Christ.

Do you know such a person?

How has that person blessed you?

How can or have you blessed that person?

Can you think of some ways to encourage intergenerational experiences in your community or in your church?

Is there an age group with which you are not as comfortable as you might be? How can you improve that experience or help someone else feel more comfortable about an age group?

I spent over 40 years teaching and working with high school and college students. Often when I shared that fact with someone, he or she would actually express dismay and sympathy that I had to teach that age group. That experience was amazing, enlightening, and beneficial in so many ways. I loved and still love those students!

I remember one particular Sunday some years ago when I picked up Ryan from the nursery. We were new to that church, and I was still learning names and trying to match them with the correct smiling face. I asked Ryan if he remembered the name of the person who had watched him in the nursery.

He said, “Sure. Somebody’s pappy.”

Years later, as “Nana” to our grandchildren, I hope that other children see a warm smiling face that belongs to “Somebody’s nana.”

No matter what our age, we can be another person’s pappy or nana, friend or mentor, and a helping hand or a listening ear. We need to respect each other at any age; appreciate each other’s perspective and wisdom, and welcome everyone as a child of God, a brother and a sister in Christ.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to understand that You love all people, regardless of our age or any other circumstances or condition. As You love all people, let me love them, too, living Jesus’ message of service, love, and sacrifice. In His name, I pray. Amen.