April 22, 2012

MELLOWED WITH WISDOM

PHOTO SOURCE
How I wish our church worship area to be located on the ground level.  I am in awe at those senior members who could still smile even though young people run up and down the stairs, passing them while they struggle, with their slow and difficult assent up every Sunday, to attend worship service.  And yet, we feel so anxious about the pain they have to carry, while climbing up those mighty steps.

After the service, again they would go down those steps, slowly, laboriously, down one step after the other hanging on the rails.

What we could offer them, while in this situation, is just to slowly go up behind them, preventing error in step.  On going down, we have to be ahead and let them go down slowly, in their own pace.

Presently our church is having a fund raising campaign to hasten up our Lot and Building Fund to reach the necessary amount for us to purchase a property that would hold our growing membership.  I am especially praying for this to be reached earlier because the new location is a walking distance to my office.  This would mean I could come visit whenever I like during the day, or to attend activities easily.

Another motive I am praying over this is what I have mentioned above.  We could then worship on ground level.  We have a handful of these senior members who are insistent in coming to church, pain and all.  Once we acquire the property we are laying claim for,  our church service vehicles could pick our elderly from their homes and then they could just amble along slowly to the worship area without fear of mishaps, and to give them easy access.

While I am deep in thoughts regarding this matter, I was brought to the realization that one day I will be like them too.  Right at this point of my life, I have existing pains.  What would it be like to be in their age?

Still, I'd hang on to the Lord, if He allows me to grow well into my sunset..... lower down the horizon,  towards the dark ....., with great hope to be like our elders, edging onwards, leaning upon Him.

Then I have better take time to better meet those days ahead.

I have searched for a website that would give me informations and some ideas as to what to do regarding problems of aches and joint pains.

Here it is, together with a few pictures of easy exercises, to maintain flexibility.  Well I would be trying them, but I could not promise I will stick to them religiously.  I always slip in these areas.  Pain would be bothering too.

PHOTO SOURCE

I usually use the lowest step of our stairs to do an up and down routine just until it tires me.  But then again, not regularly.

This is the site.




FROM THE SAME SITE
I'd rather be doing this in front of the TV or reading a book.

Our joints need time to relax and avoid further damage.  The lovable pet dog is an added novelty.  He would warm our ankle joints perfectly and with TLC.



Or you may choose to go a little techie and join our blogging circle, a company of encouraging members, happy to listen (read) about your pains, pray for each other and send us to sunnier days.

Anyway, as of this writing, my right knee and thigh up to my pelvis and mid hips, is giving a slow musical rhythm of pain.  They are tolerable, just like a little hot chili thing, yet it could gravitate into the night or during the climb upstairs.

Our summer here in the Philippines is so hot, it reaches to 35 degrees Celcius.  But today, at dawn it rained.  A little colder, enough to give me a little signal.  My Texan Gal would say her butt-ro-meter tells her that it is gonna rain today.

Anyway, here are a few collection of verses, about the Mellow Age:

Leviticus 19:32
“Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.” (NIV)


Proverbs 16:31
“The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,
If it is found in the way of righteousness.” (NKJV)


1 Timothy 5:1-2 “Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.” (ESV)


 Psalm 92:12-14
“The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,
He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Those who are planted in the house of the LORD
Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
They shall still bear fruit in old age;
They shall be fresh and flourishing. ” (NKJV)


Proverbs 20:29
“The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.” (NIV)


Ecclesiastes 12:1-3
“Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, ‘Life is not pleasant anymore.’ Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly.” (NLT)


You, my Lord, will be our strength, in the days when we are weaker, older and slower.  And you will grant us wisdom and grace born of the knowledge of you.  Amen. 




15 comments:

  1. Lolita, once in a awhile I have those thoughts too that one day I'll be in aches and pains and mobility will be a luxury... Then I wish for technology to hurry up and make that concern a part of the past! I told my daughter yesterday that I can't wait for humans to be half biological, half robotics so we don't have to go through these weaknesses. Hunger would be eradicated! My 8-year-old daughter was shocked. I can't believe I shocked my daughter with too much progress! Heheheh.

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  2. Veronica, you are so funny! There must be lots of laughter in your home!

    Lolita, your heart is so precious. I love you!

    You, too, V!

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  3. V-

    Oh yes, that part too..... I wish we will evolve into those characters we see in movies to relieve us of all the misery of getting old.

    Sigh...... and how funny too, you are more techie than your kids. Ha ha ha....

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  4. Lolita-
    When I was a little girl, older relatives would be talking and lots of comments were always made about "My old knee is hurting-guess its a sign of Old Age!"

    But for me when I looked at them, they didn't look old, they were my family and I didn't grasp the understanding of aging.

    Now-after having climbed a tree and landed on my poor BUTT-with all the nightmare list of problems I have been through-I certainly understand getting Older.

    I like Veronica's input-maybe they could make us be like SUPER WOMAN-being able to jump over tall buildings, etc... Oops-that wouldn't work for me, cause I would be near Trees again!!!

    My respect for my elders runs deep-and I learn more from them each day.

    Bless you for this post.
    Martha

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  5. Yes, my dear sister, Martha.

    I admire them for their perseverance, persistence, wisdom and humility.

    I could just imagine the day, I could no longer hurdle the stairs.

    Having gone through most valleys, they are the most understanding people in church. They don't judge and criticize.

    I got a spiritual mother here in my church, who is always looking me out, she waits for our loving embrace and I always kiss her on her cheeks and her hand.

    I know she is concerned. I so admire her, looking so upright and not yet bent by her years. She considers me one of her children..... and I love her too.

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  6. Oh, I forgot about the trees.

    I did not tell you that that is my favorite pastime of all. when I was little, I lived in an island full of trees and fruits. Not like today that there are less trees and more buildings.

    I could not wait to come home from school to climb my favorite fruit-bearing trees. One summer I stepped on a weak limb and down I fell, face down. My sisters were afraid I fainted because I did not rise up immediately due to shame and hurt ego. I suffered bruises and a damaged front teeth and gums. Luckily I was in the age that our bones are still flexible.... I did not break any.

    And once I become a flying robot or a wonder woman, I will be hovering on them when I pick fruits.... no longer perching on weak limbs. He he he...

    Thanks V, I wish they would invent those soon.

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  7. Lolita-
    My dear friend-so I have found another who LOVED climbing trees!

    You have surprises always waiting for me around the corner.

    I treasure the older people at my church-and tell them, "they are my teachers-I learn so much from them" and they will say, "Oh I don't think thats true, you already are far ahead of us?" I think-me??

    No-I am in their midst for a reason and its to open my heart, listen and learn wise teachings.

    Bless you my dear little tree climber!!!

    martha

    ps--I have told people if they see me standing at the base of a tree and looking up, RUN and grab a stick, HIT me hard-then when I wake up, Fuss hard at me for even being NEAR a tree!!!!

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  8. Lolita, I loved the picture of the legs resting on pillows with a cute dog! My two dogs - a dachshund and a basset hound are house dogs, and they sleep with me on the same bed... so I guess that helps keep me warm!

    And I loved the verses you shared!

    I am excited to hear more news about your new church building...

    Just dropping by to keep in touch.

    Blessings...
    Lidia

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  9. Lolita-
    This post by you seemed to linger in my heart and I kept thinking "is there something I am missing?" Then it hit me! Years ago I attended a silent retreat, and while in the church library, I found this "writing" that touched me deeply-I do not recall finding the name of who wrote it-but I copied it down and its been with me for a long time.

    We hear about our elders here at our church, finding out they had to be put into a nursing home, and all knowing-"thats the last place anyone wants to be at" and so I am sharing this with you-its very thought provoking:

    NURSING HOME
    The Smell of Urine
    and Silence filled the place.

    The all Sat, there near the elevator,
    near the Nurses Station, even though the chairs were much more
    comfortable in the lounge,
    down at the end of the corridor.

    They all sat there Waiting,
    for their kids to get home from
    school, hoping this time, they
    would notice them waiting
    at the window.

    Hoping that their kids would know
    what it means to grow old and
    what it means to be all alone.

    Or is a Nursing Home the Only
    School that gives such a Course?

    thank you Lolita for allowing me to share this. Each time I read it, my heart is saddened, for those who have nobody to see them.

    Blessings, Martha

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  10. Martha, what a heart-wrenching post!

    On Tuesday I went to a nursing home. It took my breathe away! Literally. The sights, smells, sounds. It broke my heart!

    Broke my heart...

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  11. Lidia-

    I always love your own reflections over posts you visit.

    I gain more insights from the interactions and I get to know deep minds and loving hearts.

    Thanks for the jewels you share with me, a blessed part of you. I love dogs, although the last one we got went away three years ago. We did not get another because we now live in a town house... and no one could tend to one all day long. It would be brutal to leave one behind alone.

    God's grace will always be with you, Lidia and my warm thoughts too.

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  12. Oh, Martha, Martha.

    I am glad we share the spirit of climbing trees, go on limb by limb. Look at the view perched upon them. And the frustration we have now that we could no longer conquer them. sigh.

    As for the poem about the Nursing Home. I do know about the elders being sent over for home care. It would be sad and lonely for them. We only have public facilities for aged from the streets. They are few because we tend to hold them in with us.... for as long as it takes.

    I could just imagine how it would be for them...... trying to relive the past and always waiting for the loved ones to remember to visit. Some would be going down the ages when they were toddlers, confused, anxious and longing for the parents who are not around.

    Such a lonely place.

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  13. Lolita-
    you stun me with this fact as to the aged people on the streets of your homeland being the ones put in a nursing facility!

    Here-its heart-breaking as to how many of our older generation find themselves in a nursing home. It is truly a place they DREAD having to find themselves in some sad day.

    your words, Such a Lonely Place-
    nothing could be more REAL......

    God bless you for telling me this.

    Martha

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  14. D-

    I I were with you, I would be heart-broken too. I would be seeing my own Mom in their situation... and I don't like the site myself. I am so happy that our youngest brother was blessed by God to be where he is now and able to take care of Mom. when the day comes that she would need a close supervision.... and it wouldn't be for a long time yet, that my sister will be in Canada. She will be able to bring us over and we would take turns in taking care of her. Just like here in our country, our old people live with the family until God takes them away.

    I pray that God will grant this wish to our family or else Mom will live here in the Philippines and we will take care of her. But we prefer her to be in the US closer to where Medical care is the best.

    Wohooo!!! God be it thy will! Amen.

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Thanks for your company. I am glad you are here. Your encouraging word is appreciated. It brings joy like a cool breeze on a hot day. GBU!