The Aged Woman - Sheila Simpson
When asked to do a devotional , I thought …what does a 68-year-old grandma who will soon be married 50 years (April 24 th) have to say to young ladies and even my peers?
I rarely miss a Helper’s of Joy devotion - What a Blessing, by the way! I do know many topics have been covered. After praying, I found I can relate to, being the ‘aged woman ‘
It means, (having lived or existed for a long time )LOL Yes, that would be me.
Honestly, I find it strange to be called an elder, aged… I thought people in their 80’s & 90’s would be the elderly. However, that’s what God calls me in His Word.
Titus 2:3-5 KJV - ‘The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
⁴ That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
⁵ To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.’
My husband and I, well - we’re orphans now- I guess you would call us. Both sets of our parents & grandparents have all graduated on to heaven . Which also means our 3 grown children’s grandparents are all gone…
It feels strange, even at my age and, might I say a bit fearful to realize those godly prayer warriors are no longer lifting our names up to the throne of heaven. We were so blessed .
I’m not worried about getting older, though for I know God will take care of me. He promised!
Isaiah 46:4 KJV - ‘And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.’
Praise the Lord!
I’m certainly not a quitter either. My husband still pastor’s a small church that we stay busy at.
I do have a few tips / thoughts of being a blessing to parents & grandparents:
We always were blessed to have our grandchildren from out -of - state stay a week in the Summer , a few days during Spring & Christmas break to make good memories and strengthen our relationship with them and their local cousins … and it gave a a little break to their parents.
A weekly call, text , card or FaceTime is something I look forward to still.
Sending Snapchats to let us in on a bit of their lives is fun.
Visits are so special !
Make plans to go to the zoo, vacation together at least once.
Offer to help fix the things that get tougher as you age. [A son and his wife that live 10 minutes away have helped so much in our home and church. They were wonderful to help in the caregiving of my dad. It made special memories with their grandpa that they will never forget. ] Our children and their spouses paint , cleaned, helped us move , hang curtains on a ceiling to floor window and my son -in -law even set up a pulley for my exercises when I developed Parsonage Turner Syndrome 3 years ago. I didn’t ask him but he saw a need.
We all spend time fellowshipping around the dinner table whenever all together . Play board games.
Our children were there waiting at the hospital with me when their dad 6 years ago had his hip replaced and again 2 years ago when he broke his shoulder and had to have a plate and screws put in.
Good children ( not perfect because I’m certainly not)who are saved and love the Lord & love their parents make the best of friends.
Our grandchildren have cleaned ,organized closets , pantries, helped in Vacation Bible School, watched our dogs while we’ve been away. Our eldest granddaughter played the piano each weekend for our church when she was at college a hour away for 3 years when I could no longer play . I could go and on but I know many of you have been blessed in these same ways. I’m just in awe of my precious family for all they do to meet needs.
My grandpa and my husband’s grandpa were like that too ‘Need Meeters’ . They took care of widow ladies repairs & for our needs too-always pleasant to be around-
Let me add …If you do not have loved ones helping you right now, I’m so sorry . My prayer is everyone gets to be blessed this way. However, it will not stop You from being a Blessing to Them!
Tips/ Thoughts on what an elderly parent can do to be a blessing .
My dear mother-in-law , who recently went home to be with the Lord at almost 92 always kept her house smelling so pretty. It didn’t smell like old people’s homes! A sweet smelling savor as we read in 2 Corinthians 2:15 . She dealt with RA for many years and was in pain but always had a smile. She always bought her great grandchildren an Easter dress each year!
My dad was a prayer warrior who prayed for his children and grandchildren 3 x’s a day and had a spiral notepad full of family, preachers & missionaries names- nothing else and he prayed for each name daily until his brain tumor got too bad toward the end. My dad always encouraged his family to learn to be content as well. He often slipped money into his family’s hands, bought them lunch to have fellowship & so much more.
Our children , when little thought my mom was the coolest grandma ever just because she had a Nintendo and would play games with them .
Champion your children and grandchildren - be their biggest fan. Be a good listener .
Jesus loves us ‘as if we were his only child Take time with each one!
Stay connected! Learn to use FaceTime , Snapchat , instagram and although my husband prefers to hear their voices , I picked up texting so my grown married twin sons would always text me back , while I might have to wait a while for a phone call . Just find a way to stay in touch with your family.
Our 3 ( twin sons and a daughter 17 months younger)children and their spouses along with our 4 granddaughters know that…God answers prayers. Jeremiah 33:3 and call us regularly to ask for prayer during a test, their health,and their burdens.
Please make sure your children and grandchildren have accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Pray daily for their salvation if the my are not born again.
Make sure your family hears your salvation testimony . It is so comforting to know we will see them again. Romans 10:13