On this beautiful fall morning, I have “Stella “and “Sweetie Pye, by my side, and I am reflecting that in two months, I will be 82! And in this beautiful moment, I pray to finish well.
You see, I’m part of the 81-90 age group, which in America numbers about 10 million. Some call us the “over the hill gang!” For a lot of folks my age, the most exciting thing they do is sit in their rocking chair and watch Dr. Phil on “Pluto.” The longer they sit, the harder it is to get up, or even have the strength to go shopping! That’s the easy way.
How much more challenging it is to get up early, spend time in God’s Word, pray, take a walk, and live a day that will be a blessing to others. Here is what the Psalmist David said about old age and finishing well.
“O God, from my youth you have taught me, And I will proclaim your wondrous deeds So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, Until I proclaim your might to another generation, Your power to all those to come.” [Psalm 7l: l7-18]
This Psalm is my testimony, for like David, I now can say,
I. “O God from my youth, you taught me and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.” [71:l7]
It seems like only yesterday, I was a young person. How those years came and went so quickly. How I thank God in those days of my youth, friends and family taught me the deeds of the Lord, and how to live a life that matters for,
“A good name is to be more desired than great riches.” (Proverbs 22:1, NASB)
MOM
Abraham Lincoln said, “All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” That is my sentiment as well. Mom would read her Bible and pray every day with my two brothers, my sister, and me, and share the treasures of God’s Word. Even though Mom suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, she remained faithful in teaching Sunday School and telling everyone about Jesus.
DAD
Dad taught me how to work hard and give l00% to every task. He became a Christian when I was a teenager, and spent the rest of his life teaching boys in Sunday School and serving as a deacon in our Church. Dennis Rainey, said this about his father,
“Upon reflections, I sometimes feel that my dad’s life was a lesson in character and integrity – just for me. As I go about trusting my heavenly Father, His Word, and His plan for my life, I’ve learned that the seeds of trust were planted there by an earthly father who was trustworthy. I agree with Alexander Pope when he said, “An honest man is the noblest work of God.” It is from observing this noble work of God that I draw strength daily to live my life and lead my family“
REV. DICK THOMASSIAN AND OTHERS
I am thankful that as a teenager, my Minister of Music and Youth, Rev. Dick Thomassian, taught me how to lead singing, preach, and win souls to Christ. When I surrendered to the ministry at 16, and through the years, he encouraged me to “keep on keeping on.”
His example, along with the example of many others, taught me at an early age the importance of proclaiming the wondrous deeds of God. Dad, Mom, Bro. Dick and so many others embodied the words of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, who wrote,
“A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you remember you when forget-me-nots are withered. Carve your name on hearts, and not on marble.”
II. “So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me.”[18]
ven though my hair is white, and I am 81, I still have the strength to say,
“I’ve served a God who was always by my side, on the mountains, and in the valleys, in divorce, in prison, in my battle with cancer, and when I felt forsaken or alone.”
THROUGH IT ALL
Through it all, Through it all
I’ve learned to trust in God.
Through it all, Through it all,
I’ve learned to depend upon His word.
I thank Him for the mountains,
I thank Him for the valleys;
I thank Him for the storms He brought me through.
For if I never had a problem;
I wouldn’t know that He could solve them.
I wouldn’t know what faith in God could do.
[Andrae Crouch]
Through it all, God restored me to my family, healed me from cancer, gave me a beautiful place to live, and a wonderful Church Family,
“So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, you have not forsaken me.”… Thus,
III. “I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those who come.”[18]
Through the years, I’ve had the privilege to proclaim the power and might of God to another generation, to my family, friends, and at my Church. Even though at times I failed the Lord, I have done my best to live a life rooted in Christ and faithful to His Word.
In April 20l9, I started sharing my story on Twitter, and in more than 800 tweets, I’ve had the privilege of sharing with generations the goodness of God and His power to save.
While I was writing this article, a CD of the Kingdom Heirs was playing on my stereo. The quartet sang, “Pass the Torch to Me,” and as I listened, I knew those words were my hope to finish well.
PASS THE TORCH TO ME**
[Verse]
When you chose me Lord, to carry, I said, ‘Yes, Lord.’
You knew that I was weak, but yet you called.
I stumbled and I’ve slipped, But you never lost your grip.
You held me up, so the torch still burns.
[CHORUS]
Pass the torch to me, I’ll run faithfully.
This Flame of Life must never be laid down.
So with dignity, I’ll attempt to be,
One who carries the cross,
Until the task is done.
CLOSING
Senior Friend, you are in the greatest days of your life. You have time to be a blessing. With each new day God gives, share your wisdom and your testimony of God’s faithfulness to all generations. Finish well, so that when you stand before the Lord, you will receive the WD Award, “Well done, good and faithful servant…Enter into the joy of the Lord.”[ Matthew 25:21, NIV] —————————————————-
**Pass the Torch to Me,” sung by the Kingdom Heirs Quartet, who sing at Dolly Wood and all over America.https://youtu.be/2x9Up7LttAI?si=PQAMH3vnwl_lF8Rl
Grace Beyond the Walls 