Not Worthless
NOT WORTHLESS
Read Psalm 71:9-18.
In Andrea’s town the newspaper carriers checked up on the senior citizens on their routes. Andrea did not like the time it took, especially with Mrs. Deaton. This old lady talked and talked while Andrea wanted to play.
One day Mrs. Deaton got out an old photo album. “Who are these people?” Andrea asked, pointing to a picture of four girls sitting on a log.
“They’re my children,” said Mrs. Deaton.
“Why don’t they visit you or help take care of you?” Andrea asked.
“They all died of smallpox,” Mrs. Deaton explained. “Then it was just George and me until he died.” Andrea felt bad when she heard that. “Now don’t fret,” Mrs. Deaton added. “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away, but He never leaves! He’s been with me all these years.”
One day not long after that, Mrs. Deaton didn’t come to the door even though Andrea pounded loudly. Looking through a window, Andrea saw Mrs. Deaton with her head on the table. Just then Mrs. Deaton sat up. Seeing Andrea at the window, she hurried to the door.
“Land sakes, child,” she said with a smile. “I was so busy praying for the missionaries from my church I didn’t even hear you.”
Later Andrea told her mother, “I thought Mrs. Deaton was a silly old lady, but I was wrong. I’ve learned a lot from her. She really knows what it means to trust God and live for Him! If I live to be as old as she is, I hope I’ll be just like her.”
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 Christians can teach valuable lessons from the experiences they’ve faced.
TO MEMORIZE:
Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.
Psalm 71:18
LEARN FROM OLDER CHRISTIANS.
From the book
