A WISH FOR THE AGED

READ:
Psalm 71:9-18

Do not cast me off in the time of old age.-Psalm 71:9

As a white candle in a holy place,so is the beauty of an aged face.This line from Joseph Campbell's poem applies to people who have served the Lord all their lives and are still bearing fruit in old age.

Behind the aged face of a longtime Christian are memories of family and friends.Wrinkles stand for earnest times of prayer,loving care,and decades of useful work.The beauty is no longer the skin-deep charm of youth but the time-honored loveliness of a life well-lived.

My wife minsiters to beautiful aged people as a nurse in a rest home-special people,like the man who gives her a weather report each night she works,and like the women who served God for years and now continue as prayer warriors.

But the elderly are not always appreciated.Unscrupulous people force them to live in wretched conditions.One politician has said that they are an unneccessary burden.

As Christmas,we must resist and reverse this trend.Many of these precious people feel rejected and abandoned.Let's pray for the aged,care for them,and love them in Jesus' name.Perhaps we can be the answer to their prayer:"Do not cast me off in the time of old age."

The older saints who trust God's Word

Have trod the paths that you will walk;

They've fought the battles you will fight

There's truth and wisdom in their talk.

*****

KINDNESS TO THE ELDERLY

HELPS BRIGHTEN THEIR SUNSET YEARS.