A man came in from his golf game and his wife asked, “How’d you do?”
“Well, I was hitting pretty well, but my eyesight has gotten so bad I couldn’t see where the ball went.”
“Well, you’re 80 years old, Jack,” the wife said, “Why don’t you take my brother along?”
Jack protested, “But he’s 90 years old and doesn’t even play golf any longer.”
His wife said, “But he’s got perfect eyesight. He could watch your golf ball.”
The next day Jack tried Edna’s idea and took her brother along. He teed up, swung and the ball disappeared down the middle of the fairway.
“Do you see it?” asked Jack.
“Yep,” the brother-in-law answered.
“Where is it?” asked Jack, peering off into the distance.
“I forgot,” answered the feeble brother-in-law.
It’s tough getting old, isn’t it? The bumper sticker reads, “Growing old is not for sissies.” Maybe you’re among the crowd who gets winded playing checkers, or who needs a fire permit to light your birthday candles, and oxygen after blowing them all out. You stop to think and forget how to start again. The only whistles you get are from the tea kettle. You have too much room in your house, and not enough in your medicine cabinet.
I was recently visiting one of our ladies in a local nursing home, and she wasn’t in her room. I asked where she was, and the employee said, “She’s at the butterbean auction.”
“The butterbean auction? What’s the butterbean auction?” I asked.
“It’s where they play bingo with butterbeans.” Learned something new. As we grow older, we can always learn something new, and we can grow stronger. How?
Keep developing a friendship with God. Have you ever thought about a friendship with God? Three times the Bible refers to Abraham’s friendship with God (Isaiah 41:8, 2 Chronicles 20:7, James 2:23). Abraham was a man of great faith who was called to a new challenge at age 75. He had a close relationship with God. How do you develop a friendship with someone? You find common interests, spend time together, enjoy each other and accept each other warts and all. You help each other grow.
Keep growing stronger in your faith. Abraham followed God’s instructions throughout his life, and knew the joy of obedience. Following the Lord is the only pursuit that brings true happiness. Several years ago, Norman Vincent Peale found his father’s diary. An entry from September, 1888, read, “I go to prayer meeting once a week, church every Sunday. I have discovered a great truth and it is this. If you stick with Jesus and have faith in him, He will see you through anything. You will have good success.” All through childhood, Peale’s father would tell him, “Son, stick with Jesus.”
Look at old age as “good” and keep a positive attitude. The Bible records that Abraham died at a “good old age.” Old age is good. Make this natural stage of life a positive experience by having a healthy outlook. One senior wrote:
I’m a senior citizen and proud of it.
I’m the life of the party . . . even when it lasts until 8 p.m.
I’m usually interested in going home before I get to where I am going.
I’m the first one to find the bathroom wherever I go.
I’m awake many hours before my body allows me to get up.
I’m smiling all the time because I can’t hear a word you’re saying.
I’m very good at telling stories … over … and over … and over.
I’m aware that other people’s grandchildren are not as bright as mine.
I’m so cared for: long term care, eye care, Medicare, dental care.
I’m not grouchy, I just don’t like traffic, waiting, crowds or politicians.
I’m positive I did housework correctly before my mate retired.
I’m sure everything I can’t find is in a secure place.
I’m wrinkled, saggy, and lumpy and that’s just my left leg.
I’m having trouble remembering simple words like . . .
I’m walking more (to the bathroom) and enjoying it less.
I’m going to reveal what goes on behind closed doors, absolutely nothing!
I’m sure they are making adults much younger these days.
I’m in the initial stage of my golden years: SS, CDs, IRAs and AARP.
I’m a walking storeroom of facts … I’ve just lost the key to it.
I’m a Senior Citizen and I think I am having the time of my life!
David L. Chancey, is pastor, McDonough Road Baptist Church in Fayetteville. The church family gathers at 352 McDonough Road and invites you to join them this Sunday for Bible study at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 10:55 a.m. Visit them on the web at www.mcdonoughroad.org.
