Aging-in the New Year

AGING

Intentional Christian aging is the opposite of slipping, sliding, coasting and idling into Senior years.  That ought to be our agenda as church leaders and Christians.

Much of life is clearly defined – infancy, toddler times, kindergarten, elementary school, high school, college or career, marriage, parenthood, etc. etc.  BUT NOT THE THIRD QUARTER “2^nd ½” or 4^th Quarter of adult life.  We have few models and little written directions for these years.  This is called “Cultural Lag”.  Something has happened SO FAST, SO NEW, SO DIFFERENT we lack traditions, patterns, guidelines about how to live with 1/3 of our life, 30 years, open after age 65.

My father, who died at age 98, must have done something right to be the sole survivor of  8 younger siblings.  Nevertheless he was absolutely ill-equipped for all those extra years.  He was a preacher!  That’s all he did and that is all he planned to do.  But a small stroke a dozen years ago impaired his speech, not his mind, and since that happened there was little on his menu of activities.  What he could do, the powerfully important role open to most older folks, he did little of – THAT IS, BLESS HIS CHILDREN, HIS GRANDCHILDREN, HIS GREAT GRANDCHILDREN!!  AND OTHER PEOPLE’S TOO!!

By nature or training, my dad, while a wonderful, generous, caring person did not know how to concentrate his energies on giving encouragement, support, words of love, show interest, give pats on the back, to a large group of younger folks, ages infant to senior citizens.

Right there we pinpoint a major opportunity and responsibility for life after 60.  Instead of conventional productivity we can step into RELATIONAL business.  Seniors need to realize how much they have to offer the younger generation--- just in terms of PAYING ATTENTION to them AND SPEAKING CLEAR MESSAGES OF LOVE, ENCOURAGEMENT, SUPPORT AND KINDNESS.  The vibrancy and bravado of youth should not distract us.  

Feelings of love are not enough.  POSITIVE WORDS HEAL, LIFT, INSPIRE, STRENGTHEN, IMMUNIZE.   KNOW THAT WORDS OF LOVE DO GOOD.  THEY ARE MEDICINE FOR THE SOUL.

Here is a second career for all of us.  It is sending messages of care and kindness all around by  SHOWING UP!! In tough and painful circumstances next door, across the street, or by phone, mail or internet to hurting strangers.  (90% OR MORE IS JUST SHOWING UP).