Senior Saints

Bible Reading: Psalm 71:14-18

As part of a service project, the kids in Callie’s class at church made a weekly check on the senior church members who lived in their neighborhood. “It takes longest to check on Mrs. Deaton,” Callie told Elena, her project partner. “She always talks and talks!” Elena agreed, but they dutifully called on the elderly lady once a week.

One day, Mrs. Deaton showed the girls some faded photographs. “Who’s this?” Elena asked, pointing to a picture of a little girl.

Mrs. Deaton smiled. “That’s my daughter.”

“How come she never visits you or takes care of you now that you’re old?” Callie blurted without thinking.

“She was in a car accident many years ago, and the Lord took her to be with Him,” Mrs. Deaton explained. Callie’s face flushed when she heard that. “Now don’t you fret,” Mrs. Deaton said, patting Callie’s hand. “Losing her was the hardest thing I’ve ever faced, but Jesus was with me through it all. When He says He will never leave us or forsake us, He means it!”

Not long after that, Mrs. Deaton didn’t come to the door when the girls rang the bell. Callie peered through a window. She couldn’t see clearly, but it looked as though Mrs. Deaton was slumped over a table. “Oh no!” Callie cried in alarm, but just then Mrs. Deaton’s head jerked up.

Seeing Callie’s frightened face, Mrs. Deaton quickly came to the door. “Come on in, girls. I was so busy, I didn’t even hear you.” She smiled at them. “You see, I may be old and unable to do much, but I can pray,” she said with a wink. “Today I was praying for the kids in our neighborhood—including the two of you!”

When Callie got home, she told her mom what had happened. “When we started this project, I just saw Mrs. Deaton as a burden,” Callie admitted. “But she’s been teaching me a lot—and praying for me too!”

“Jesus promises to take care of us our whole lives,” said Mom. “Even when we’re old, He will continue to work through us so others can know Him better.”

Callie nodded. “If I live to be as old as Mrs. Deaton, I hope I’ll be praying for others and telling them about Jesus just like she does!” -Jan L. Hansen

How About You?

How do you feel about older people? Do you respect them? Do you spend time with them and listen to what they have to say? You’ll find that older people can teach you valuable lessons from the experiences they’ve faced. God has given His senior saints, as well as younger Christians, a job to do. He’s still working in their lives so they can point people to Jesus. They’re valuable to Him, and He wants you to value them too.

Today’s Key Verse:
Psalm 71:18 Even while I am old and gray, God, do not abandon me, while I proclaim your power to another generation, your strength to all who are to come. (CSB)

Today’s Key Thought:

Learn from older Christians