Have you ever said to yourself "I will never be like my mother (or any other relative in the family)? Maybe someone has told you "you are so much like Aunt Emmie" and you thought to yourself "Oh Lord, please don't let me be her when I am older". I'm pretty sure most of us have someone in our lives who exhibit behaviors or attitudes that really bug us and may even pray that we won't be like them when we are older.Working as a volunteer in a nursing home and having parents who are polar opposites in attitude as they've aged, I have had ample opportunities to think these very thoughts. I've also been able to observe numerous elderly gals--some who I wanted to be, others who scared me to death thinking I could be like them.
Years ago I coordinated the volunteers who answered the phone at a church, I remember coming home and telling my husband " I want to be just like Elizabeth when I'm 75 or even I want to be just like Sylvia when I'm 84." Elizabeth was a retired school principle who always had an encouraging thing to say, who traveled and enjoyed every day of her life despite having difficulty walking. Or Sylvia who had been volunteering at the church for many, many years. She was such a delight. At one point we asked all the volunteers to answer the phone "thank you for calling Westminster Presbyterian Church, how can I direct your call". She would listen attentively and each time she answered the phone we'd hear a loud "Presbyterian Church!" come from the volunteer desk. How can you argue with an 84 year old woman who came to church for her weekly volunteer time and had to brace her self against the hallway wall to get to the receptionist's desk because she was so dizzy she couldn't stand up straight? That's dedication. I want to be like her.
In a previous blog I mentioned a lady who was a temporary rehab resident in the nursing home. The light on her face told me that this woman had loved God for a very long time. How beautiful to hear her sweet voice tell me now much she loved God and that when she got out of the nursing home she was going to start giving free piano lessons to needy children in her area. Remember? She's 84 years old.
I've also mentioned my great-aunt Bill who taught Sunday School until she was 89 years old and is still living alone at 95--mostly blind, body bent entirely over with osteoporosis. Her answer to "how are you today" is always "fine" and she means it!
So, after mulling this over, I said to my sister just last night "I think I'll write a letter to future me to remind me to avoid some of those attitudes and behaviors" I'll read it every year. It was a joke at the time but as I got up this morning I thought--this is really a good idea. So here goes.
Dear Great Grandma Cindy
I want to remind you of a few things to remember these days. I'm sure it will be easy to feel sorry for yourself as your knees ache and your memory is even worse than it is now.....now that's a scary thought--moving on......Here's some things I want you to remember:
1. Have an attitude of gratitude. Say thank you often and generously. Don't ever think that because you are old, giving birth to them was excruciating, or they ought to do it just because you deserve it after all these years, that you don't need to say thank you for every considerate thing that someone does for you. Say Thank You and mean it!
2. Pray, pray and pray. You have so much more time to spend at the throne of Grace these days--spend it on those rickety knees of yours (even just in our head) for others. This is probably the most valuable thing you will ever do. This purpose alone is enough warrant still being on this earth.
3. Seek God with all your heart. Get to know Him better every day. It won't be long before you see Him face to face. You'll want to know Him in the deepest way possible. The closer you are to Him here, the closer you'll want to be in eternity.
4. Read your Bible DAILY (or listen to it on CD if your hearing is gone) The Word of God will lift out of the doldrums and give power to your prayers.
5. Love those great grandkids unconditionally. Don't worry about the multitude of piercings or tattoos or whatever the latest dress fad is. It is your job to love them not to judge them. It is your job to pray for them and tell them how much God loves them and what a fabulous plan for their lives he has (even if it doesn't seem at all possible).
6. Do the same thing for your kids. They are grandparents now--be an example of that love and acceptance. Be the grace of God in their lives.
7. Rejoice! Rejoice that you will soon see your Savior face to face. Think in terms of eternity. This life of aches and pains is short--becoming shorter every day. Be happy knowing that this world is not your home--you are at the end of the pathway--only a few more steps to go.
Halleluiah!!!!!
And last but not least--Be happy knowing that God has been your Lord all these many years, that He has been faithful all the way through. That you are loved and as beautiful to God today as you were on your wedding day.
Love,
Grandma Cindy
So instead of just filing this away, I think I'll get it out every few months to remind myself that in order to live those things I need to prep now. Live a life of love, gratitude, kindness and prayer NOW.
