Elderly people were not always elderly. They too at one stage were helpless babies, toddlers, children, youth, adults and though life’s circumstances may have varied they have now come to the place where their strength has weaned, their walk not as strong, their energies weaker. Their sleep not as good. Many childhood friends and those in adulthood have passed into eternity. At times, like one man I met he battles depression due to an absence of human involvement. Another dreads going to bed at night because the love of his life, his wife has gone into eternity. Both are lonely. Both have seen days of youth and adulthood fly by, indeed to them “life is like a vapor” as the Scripture testifies. Another dear precious lady confided she dreaded the winter evenings approaching, with darkness by 5 pm, and the long nights of sitting up watching the same tv shows, just for some kind of company. These three people are not unusual, countess others I imagine could tell their own stories of aloneness, long nights, no one calling to see them, or maybe sparsely.

Have you ever noticed how often people STOP- DROP EVERYTHING– and will come to a funeral, buy flowers when a person dies. But did not take time to send flowers when they were alive, call or come visit. We all need to learn that life is short and we need to TAKE TIME- MAKE TIME- TO REACH OUT- WHILE PEOPLE LIVE.

I wonder about youth leaders in churches, some of them are fine people seeking to help the youth and with all the complexities that stage of life leads. But instead of some who like to entertain them and whose goal is to “entertain and keep them happy,” so mom and dad are happy. But what about teaching them to “do not merely look out for your own inters but also the interests of others.”{Phil 2:3-5}

1. SHOW YOURSELF… AN EXAMPLE OF GOOD DEEDS.

“Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds…”{Titus 2:5-7}.

What good deeds are the young men in your church involved in?

Could they seek to minister to some older lonely person, cut the yard, sit and listen to the older person? Bring a cup of coffee and sit together? Give the older person something to look forward to. A regular visit?

2. TEACHING…WHAT IS GOOD.

“Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,  so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the Word of God will not be dishonored.” {Titus 2:3-5}

Younger women could seek out an older women and sit and learn from her. Serve her by allowing her to impart her wisdom to you. The criteria for the older women who teach the younger wives is laid out above. Look at the topics. All relational.

3. BE READY… FOR EVERY GOOD DEED.

“Remind them to be …ready for every good deed,  to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men,”{3:1-2}

4. LEARN… TO ENGAGE IN GOOD DEEDS.

“ Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.” {3:14}

FROM YOUTH TO OLDER WOMEN TO ALL BELIEVERS, LOOKING TO INVEST YOUR LIFE INTO OTHERS…TO SERVE THEM…

OLDER PEOPLE ARE A GREAT CANDIDATES FOR PEOPLE TO SEEK OUT TO LOVE THEM. Remember they are not a “project,” they are made in the image of God and could do with some help and also they get the chance to pass on some things from their own life. If they are “lost” it is an opportunity to love them, serve them and share the Gospel with them. If they are right with God through faith in the Lord Jesus, it is a chance to seek to encourage them. {Read Hebrews 3:13}

Paul wrote to the believers in Galatians 6:10- “ So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”

We should never be bored, “while we have opportunity let us do good…”

No youth, older person should be bored when there are so many older people sitting alone and who in many cases would love some companionship and help!