Busy Seniors

Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "Where Cross The Crowded Ways Of Life"1 (Lyrics)

Proverbs 16:31 – Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life. (NIV)

Some time ago, someone asked me a question: "Why does someone your age keep so busy? Isn't it time you slowed down?" This question made me think about seniors who do all kinds of work. There are seniors who volunteer at long term care centres, taking residents to various activities. There are others who go there to play the piano for different programs. There are seniors who drive for various organizations such as the Cancer Society, the Red Cross, "day away" programs, or meals on wheels.

Our churches would not be able to function without all the seniors who are very busy doing work for the church. There are also ministers, long retired, who keep on preaching the gospel. I have also concluded from some of the comments by the various authors of these devotionals that some of us are fairly well up in years — so many busy seniors doing so many different things!

As for myself, in 1993, it was discovered that the aortic valve in my heart was defective. It was a birth defect, apparently. After a series of tests, it was decided that the valve should be replaced. As I was in good physical condition, I was asked to take part in a new program where 500 people worldwide would receive a pig valve. They were going to monitor us closely, and the results would be shared by specialists in all the countries which were taking part in this study. On November 12th, 1993, this valve was installed. It lasted for 18 years, and then, it started to show signs of deterioration. Again, tests were done, and on January 6th, 2012, it was replaced by another tissue valve.

2 Kings 20 tells us the story of King Hezekiah, who was sick and near to death, and how he prayed with tears: "Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight" (2 Kings 20:3 NKJV). Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord responded, "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord. And I will add to your days fifteen years." (2 Kings 20:5b-6a NKJV)

At the end of the chapter, there is a footnote which tells us that Hezekiah did not sit around for the rest of his life. As a matter of fact, he built a water reservoir and a tunnel to bring water into the city.

I am personally convinced that the Lord has spared me to continue His work, and it is with great joy that I do this. For so many of us, our retirement years give us the time to serve the Lord, doing various things to help others in our families, in the community, and in the church. In fact, there is no retirement from serving the Lord!

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we pray for all the people who do Your work and help others in so many different ways. We ask that You would give them the desire, the strength, and the enthusiasm to keep doing it for their appointed length of time. We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.

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About the author:

Joel Jongkind <austria67@bmts.com>
Meaford, Ontario, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Keep up the good work Joel.


    You are so right! Where did people get the idea seniors slow down!!


    Joel, thanks for your encouraging words. They are appreciated. Blessings.


    Thanks for supporting seniors. I’m only 81 and still ticking like an old timex watch.


    Hello Joel.
    You sound like John, Peter & Paul as they spread the Good News. Old age put them closer to being with Jesus, the One they loved.
    Praise be to our Lord Jesus for the breath of life, and wisdom to make use of the moments.
    (USA)


    Joel, thank you for sharing this wonderful testimony. Over the past few years, my husband experienced a similar miracle as the Lord is now using him in new ways, despite his on-going battle with cancer. May God continue to bless your ministry and use your writing for His glory.
    Blessings.


    Very good, Joel!
    In my 60’S and covering up my white hair with “Touch of gray”; found out the hard way no one was hiring “grandpa” with my white hair.
    I have a good head of hair – unfortunately, it is so silver white that I look like I helped Moses carry the 10 Commandments!
    God bless, keep writing and I am going to share this,
    (Texas)


    Thank you for all of your articles. I’ve enjoyed reading them and meditating on them. I’ve been fortunate to read some of your articles at a time when I felt they were written by you and sent to me by our great Lord to help me along the way. Thank you again for your inspiration and your help through Jesus Christ our Lord.


    Dear Joel,
    Like a lot of things in life, it is only after you have lost it, or in danger of losing it, do we really appreciate what we have been given!
    This is especially true with the Kingdom of God. Praise God that this cannot be shaken or wear out.
    May God continue to bless you, guide you and, as it says: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. psalm 119:105


    Dear Joel,
    Thank you for these words as I identify with them. I had my aortic valve replaced several years. Following that experience, I started writing for the PresbyCan Daily. As seniors we have a wealth of experiences to write about. We are being used to encourage our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. Praise Him! I have enjoyed reading your many stories and interesting insights. Thank you for sharing them with us. May God continue to bless you.


    Dear Joel,
    Thanks for the precious devotional that fit me so well.
    I am thankful for these years in which to continue to serve our loving Lord.
    How wonderful that we find that God expands some of our gifts even as others of our capacities diminish!
    I pray that God will keep us useful in His Kingdom for as long as he chooses to keep us able — and that that will be for a long life — according to his will. Amen.
    Keep writing.


    My dear friend in Christ,
    There is absolutely no doubt in my mind now that the Lord has surely blessed you.
    I have often times wonder to myself “why do I get such Warm comfort from Joel’s devotions”. After reading your devotion today, I do have a better understanding.
    May the dear Lord continue to bless you, and give you good health.
    I am sure that today as we all read this, we know how fortunate and blessed we are as readers to have you in our lives.
    Blessings to you and your family.
    Spring is coming, be well, be safe.
    God bless you always.


    Thank you for your inspiring words about the persistence of keeping the Lord’s work.
    It is inspiring to hear and see seniors contribute to the good of the world.
    May you continue to “keep going”.


    I! I’m such a busy senior, I didn’t get to read your devotional until tonight. I appreciated the scripture references and the emphasis on the need and joy for us to do all that we can to praise the Lord and make his ways known to others until our last breath. I am grateful for all the seniors who have gone before me and witnessed to their faith even when their bodies were frail. Many thanks for your contribution.


    Dear Joel:
    I was pleased to read your devotional today.
    I had a pig valve up in my heart to replace my aortic valve. It has served me WELL and I do not have to take medication for its upkeep or anything. I have often wondered how long it will last me…your eighteen years sounds like a good projection, but is drawing closer for me each day. I often feel I do not know what purpose God has for me in this life, but I am frequently thankful that He preserved this body and ask that I continue to walk in His path and do His will. May God continue to bless you with good health, and you continue to bless us with timely devotionals.
    Thanks for the devotional today.

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