I was speaking with a friend the other day and we were talking about how sometimes in the church community, seniors are pushed aside. Maybe it is not intentional but nonetheless it is happening more often that we realize. Their spiritual wisdom and gifting are left to collect dust and become dormant.
Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you. Deuteronomy 32:7
God has placed a wealth of knowledge and spiritual wisdom in our seniors that we are missing out on. No, they are not antiquated or outdated, on the contrary, they have a different perspective because they’ve been there and done that.
Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? Job 12:12
ASK QUESTIONS
I remember growing up and thinking that my Grandmother was the smartest woman on the planet. When she came to the house on Sundays for a visit; her and I would sit on the front porch together for what seemed like hours. I would go and grab the encyclopedia, open it to a random page and ask her several questions about the topics on the page. I was maybe 8 – 10 years old at the time. It was the most amazing thing to me that my Grandmother could explain anything my finger pointed to on the page. In my child’s eye, she was so “wise.”
If you have ever been to our home which we call; “the Rozkowski Sanctuary” you’ll see some memorabilia from my Grandmother. It’s a precious collection of salt & pepper shakers that adorn the walls of our kitchen. Some of the sets, are gifts from friends throughout the years that make my heart smile as I think of them.
TO GRANDMOTHER’S HOUSE WE GO!
Why in the world would I put up shelf after shelf of these dust catchers? Here’s the reason; it was a very special time in my life when I would visit Grandmother’s house. I’m kind of a minimalist and enjoy ridding when things become to cluttered. (smile) But this to me is something special and worth the extra dusting.
My parents would often let me stay the weekend at my Grandmothers villa, nestled in the heart of Detroit. She won several awards over the years for having the most beautiful place in her community. Can you believe Grandmother mowed her lawn with one of the those rotating push mowers with the blades on them? Just to look at one you surmise its a definite workout…You Go Grandmother…Go!
When someone came to visit Grandmother and walked into her place, one of the things that stood out was her colorful shelves of salt & pepper shakers. For me when I arrived for my weekend stays it was with much anticipation that the first thing I would do was to decide which set of salt & pepper shakers was my favorite for my stay. It was one of my childhood traditions and I sometimes find myself doing that very thing to this day! It’s funny how some things follow you into your adult life, amen?
I could go on with many fond memories of my stays with Grandmother like; the time the popcorn popped right out the kitchen window! Oh I can almost hear Grandmother’s cackle as I type this and that memory makes me Laugh Out Loud.
IT’S A NEW TIME
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. Psalm 71:18
So let me ask a few questions here for contemplation, (Selah) which means to meditation on.
- When was the last time you sought out someone older than yourself for spiritual guidance or their godly wisdom on a subject?
- Are you the older one? When was the last time you imparted into the younger generation?
- This can actually transcend physical age and speak of maturity in the Spirit.
- Do you seek to ask seniors questions or have them share their experiences and stories with you? Why or Why not?
- What will you leave for others as a legacy?
It’s a new day, a new time in our world and there is no going back to what once was. But we can sure learn from the things of old and past successes and pitfalls. Oh how we need the LORD to show us things to come and how to live the abundant life in these difficult times. We must challenge ourselves to step out of our comfort zones, push fear aside and speak the oracles of God in this hour! The world needs to hear about Messiah and the hope of the Gospel. As overcomers this is a new time for advancing the kingdom of God and pushing back the darkness. We cannot do this as alone, we need each other.
It is time that we understand that maturity in Christ is a treasure. Maturity is like a treasure chest that is awaiting discovery by all who dig for it.
“They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels [Special Treasure]. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Malachi 3:17
God’s revelation is endless and many times is left like buried treasure waiting for the “sons and daughters of God” to dig it up and share with others.
For the eagerly awaiting creation waits for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God. Romans 8:19 NASB
Throughout my walk with the LORD some 25+ years now, I’ve tapped into many powerful believers that are 10, 20 30 years my senior. I can say the the LORD has used these precious ones to teach, lead, pray and help me in my walk with Yeshua Messiah. I have truly avoided some pitfalls due to their wisdom, discernment and insight into spiritual matters and thank God for them. Beloved, as we want to continue on in our walk, we still need to seek out mentors to walk with us and to glean from.
GODLY PRINCIPLES
Pray and ask the LORD to put some mature people in your path. Ask questions. I have come to understand there are no silly questions only ones that have never been asked. Seek to understand what truths our heavenly Father wants to reveal to you through them. If you seek out a multitude of counsel you will walk with a spring in your step and delight in life…guaranteed. I will leave you with some scriptures from one of my favorite books in the Bible from the ESV= English Standard Version. They carry much wisdom and godly principles for life.
Proverbs 15:22
Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 11:14
Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Proverbs 24:6
For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
Proverbs 20:18
Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.
WHAT WAS GRANDMOTHER’S LEGACY?
As I sit here looking our the window pondering that question, I am watching the wind blowing and listening to the wind howl. I sense God speaking to my spirit… “The winds of time will one day stop. There will be no more time as you know it.” I am reminded that the God Most High who made the heavens and the earth is outside of time You and I have a very short window of “time” to make a difference and leave our legacy. Time is running out.
And so, as I was taking this time to Selah and wait on the LORD, He showed me a very simple yet profound thing. We all know this.
- STOP…take the time to enjoy the little things of this life. Life is a gift and we are to open and enjoy that gift by living in the moment. Our “now” is really the only time we have because the past is gone and the future is not yet. There are no second chances. Let’s face it, our life is like a vapor, here one day and gone the next.
THE LEGACY: Enjoy Life in this very moment you are in. Don’t let life and it’s special moments pass you by, live them to the fullest, you only get one chance!
James 4:14
Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
In ABBA’S love,
Lora
SHARE YOUR STORY
I would love to hear your story and how someone your senior has touched your life in a powerful way.
email: Lora@botg.me
Lora
January 17, 2022 at 3:56pmCOMMENT FROM MY FRIEND ADELE:
One of my fondest memories of my grandmother Binge who was my fathers mother was how she saved money even when my grandfather was retired. She would always say don’t buy it if you can’t pay for it. I never knew when they didn’t have at least 2 houses, one in the city and one on a lake. Grandfather always had a garden and worked for the same tool and die company for 35 plus years. Grandmother always bought things that were made well and would last. I remember my mother commenting on the fact she spent a lot of money for even her bras but they lasted.
We live in a disposal mindset that we need to get out of. Pay a little extra, get it and take care of your things that God has blessed you with. Teach this next generation to fix things and not throw everything away. My grandmother taught me to tithe and I am so grateful she did God has been amazing in my life when I give him my first fruits always.