By Sandy Ditoro
Do not cast me off in the time of old age. Do not forsake me when my strength fails. (Psalm 71:9)
When was the last time you visited a nursing home or wrote a letter or sent a card to your elderly aunt who lives in another state? How about your Grandmother’s best friend who is all alone now? You know, we can brighten a day so easily by remembering the elderly with a card for their birthday, a box of candy for Valentine’s day and homemade cookies during the holidays.
I have two elderly aunts who live in the same room in a nursing home in Mississippi. I have so many fond memories of them from my childhood. They both now suffer greatly from the ravages of old age. I try to remember them on special days. It has become a tradition for our son and daughter to bake and send them cookies each year for a special holiday treat.
If you have an elderly loved one who has special place in your childhood memories, take the time to write them a letter which includes some happy reminiscences you share from the past. Often the elderly have a fresher memory of things that happened 30 years ago than of two hours ago.
Look around your congregation. Take note of the widows and widowers. Invite them to have Sunday dinner with your family. Include them when you spend a family day in the park. Invite them to join you when you go out to eat.
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27)
Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear, even I will carry, and will deliver you. (Isa. 46:4)
His hands to carry the elderly are our hands!