My Church has allowed me to write and call a few “Seasoned” members just to keep up and to let them know they are valued and prayed for.
I sent the snail – mail and made the calls. Many of the calls were interesting, and I’ll follow up.
Later, it occurred to me that they had more than likely, experienced some hard times that maybe younger members had not. Further, having that experience gives them an opportunity to be voices of comfort, reassurance, and wisdom. I wrote them the following note that I now share with you.
“God, I suggest, has given me the opportunity to pray specifically for you and a few others who are seasoned members of FUMC Montgomery. In fulfilling that mission I am undertaking to pray today for you and each of you on a daily basis.
” I pray for your health and general physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. But also I pray that you will use this opportunity to show a younger generation how to trust God and thus, to thrive in hard times.
“I’m sure you have seen personal hard times, but you’ve also seen national hard times such as war, and not just war “over there,” but where were you and your family suffered “over here.” Maybe your parents were made to suffer during the great depression, and their memory of that suffering colored their raising of you.
“Younger people may not have seen such times, and they may be in serious need of your wisdom, guidance, and peacefulness. I pray that God will give you opportunity to share that wisdom (at a safe distance, of course.) You were and remain “the greatest generation,” even if some of you edged into “Boomer” status, as I did.
“The great hero of World War II, Sir Winston Churchill said, “Never waste a good crisis.”
“This is your opportunity to put that into practice. You can put Proverbs 1:8 into use for “such a time as this,” Esther 4:14, to tell all who will listen in the words of the Psalmist:’Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Further, you have an opportunity to fulfill Jesus’ command to be “salt and light” in a world that may be flavorless right now. Still, further, your particular experience allows you to be pepper, paprika, sage, and thyme as well.
“I challenge you to do so.”
So let it be written, so let it be done.
johnthebaptist15 