Encourage Others and Tell Your Story

Thoughtful Aging

Intentional Christian aging is different than slipping, sliding, coasting and idling into Senior years.  That ought to be our agenda as Christians-thoughtful aging.

Much of life is relatively clearly defined – infancy, toddler times, kindergarten, elementary school, high school, college or career, marriage, parenthood, are well-modeled.  We know what these phases involve. BUT NOT THE THIRD QUARTER OR THE SECOND HALF.  Something has happened so rapidly that we lack models, traditions, patterns, guidelines about how to live to 95 or 100 instead of to 75 or 85.  

By nature or training, my dad, while a wonderful, generous, caring person did not know how to concentrate his energies on giving encouragement, support, admiration, interest and pats on the back,.to the younger generation.or even his peers, the senior group.

Right there we pinpoint a major opportunity and responsibility for life after 60.  Instead of conventional productivity we can step instead into RELATIONAL business.  Seniors need to know 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.  And feelings of love are not enough.  POSITIVE WORDS HEAL, LIFT, INSPIRE, STRENGTHEN, IMMUNIZE.  (Do not wait for appreciation, especially with teens.  They can’t send such messages.  KNOW THIS-- WORDS OF LOVE DO GOOD.)

Beyond our own families, here is a second career for all of us.  Sending messages of care and kindness all around.  SHOWING UP!! In tough and painful circumstances next door, across the street, or by phone, mail or internet to hurting strangers).

A valuable gift EVERY SENIOR CARRIES, that absolutely must be given away – especially to our families is OUR STORY.

The following generations needs to hear our story.  NOT ONLY DO THEY NEED TO HEAR IT, WE NEED TO TELL IT.

There is a wonderful healing that happens when we are invited by interested listeners to take all the time we need to share where we’ve been, what we’ve seen, known, experienced, and how we see God in all of it, too.

At the Crystal Cathedral I have nudged story-telling into a variety of classes as part of the process.  Fresh New Hope Telephone Counselors are put through 7 weeks of training, 2-1/2 hours a week.  The last 1-1/2 hours of every session is devoted to listening to each other’s story.  THE TRAINING ITSELF IS EXCELLENT AND INSPIRING.  But almost all cite TELLING THEIR STORY as the highlight.

2.         We include it in NEW MEMBERS classes

3.         We include it in LEAD ELDER TRAINING.

4.         SMALL GROUPS.

5.         FUNERAL PREPARATION

People are longing to be known.  And even though people have worked on councils, committees, teams for decades THEY DO NOT KNOW EACH OTHER’S STORIES.

When we tell our stories to our children, they gain

-          Insights into who they are (identity)

-          What values they’ve inherited

-          What’s important

-          How God uses the “stuff” of life.

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When older folks tell their stories THEY COME ALIVE AGAIN.  They gain a sense of completion.  Sometimes telling resolves old conflicts.  Endearment emerges as we see each other as persons.  Share your story !!!