Who teaches us more than the animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the air? Job 35:11
She watched the elderly lady with unending curiosity, inquisitive about what made her tick, how she spent her day, what her likes and dislikes were and even more so, what the older one’s reactions to situations in her environment were. Every room the senior citizen was in; the young one seemed to be! She was drawn to remain close by her and had no idea just how much she was learning in her presence! Before she knew it, the youngster found herself acting very much like her older relative; had developed a sense of calm that she hadn’t had before. The aged one seemed to exuded peace and contentment, regardless of the situation she was in, for she’d already faced the excitement, joys, separations and disappointments that are part of life, and she survived. Life and her family had taught her that whatever came her way, she’d be all right, and she knew it. How the younger one looked to her! And all the while the old one kept an eye on the young.
Without even knowing it, our Maizy was mentoring our new grand pup Khloe, who spent a few days with us. It amazed me how in just that short time, what that puppy learned! I’ve never experienced this before first hand, although have heard and read about it many times before. Maizy and her long-time, buddy Jack, our first grand pup, are the same age. Growing up together all these years, they’ve had an inseparable bond, and learned together as they went along. They didn’t have an older dog in the family to teach them. And even though they’ve done very well, makes me wonder if they’d had an older dog around, how different perhaps things would have been for them.
Oh! If we would only take the time to observe our older generation and ponder who they are, what they’ve accomplished in life, what experiences they have survived, and listen to what they feel life has taught them; how much we would learn from our older relatives, friends and neighbors! When we witness the strength of faith carried by each of them, a strength and firmness of faith that has come out of endurance, one cannot help but be in awe that they have survived so much, often with great effort. And most importantly we begin to see where that depth of knowledge and understanding originates that they carry within - God is present always! It’s a belief that has come from living a full life, of experiencing His quiet presence, and having the gift of family or friends or both to reinforce that belief! Look toward the older people in your life. Ask them questions. Take a step back to think about their perspective of who God is. In God’s time, we too will come to know, that no matter what situation we are in, with God we will be all right. We have so much to learn from one another!
For the dear, older people in our lives, we thank you, Lord! Abba! Father! We are yours!
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson