Elderly and Foolish

 The Word of God tells us not to call anyone a fool (Matthew 5:22 AMP) and to have a good reputation so not to be discredited (1 Timothy 3:7 AMP) So, what would you call it when you notice that the older aren’t teaching the younger and the acts of the elderly make no sense, especially when they know better?

Over the years, my career has given me invaluable experiences; however, there was a position I held in a senior community where I was really expecting a vast of information. There were at least 150 residents that I engaged with conversations and activities. My expectation was for the women to build a rapport with me to tell me some things I didn’t already know, complete with colorful stories. That did not happen. What I did hear were the things they didn’t say. I saw what they looked like as months passed when no one came to visit them. Or when the family did pay a visit, members stayed on the phone or spoke to their parent as if talking to a child. The elderly male residents seemed to wander about trying to find something to do. These were still viable, strong, independent people. Why didn’t they want to do anything else or find something that was of interest to them?

Different cultures treat the elderly in different ways. Does America lead in the mistreatment of the elderly? 

The baby boomers and generation x are the populations that have been noted to be the largest senior population that there has ever been. We are the population that heard from our school teachers that social security will be non-existent by the time we became senior citizens. Here’s the question: we must have not believed them; otherwise, we would have grown up, run for office, and put safe guards in place for there to be finances available in our elderly years- right? Sigh.

What does this have to do with Christianity and dating? 

Plenty. You see, there was this elderly man that was one of the assistant pastors in a certain ministry. He was footloose and fancy free, as they used to say, seemingly sowing any wild oats he could. His relatives didn’t understand how he could be living a righteous life as a single man in ministry. As the years continued and he became older and older living alone in his own home, he decided to make the announcement to the church that he is finally ready to marry. Why that was necessary to be announced had everyone’s expression in a question mark; nevertheless, it was more interesting to see what he expected. Who was going to clamor down this elderly man in hopes he would choose her instead of all of the others? Wait, what others? He must have been good looking and charming back in the day for him to think that wouldn’t fade…though the Bible says otherwise (James 1:11 AMP). The years continued, and no one stepped up. Although, why would he think someone would? He is the man!

Finally, the elderly man’s family had to make the decision that he had become too old to live alone and needed to move in with them to be cared for. He agreed. One day, going to the grocery store; but leaving the elderly family member at home because they were only going be gone for a few minutes, the elderly man tripped and fell down the stairs passing away instantly.

When men decide not to marry but continue to live the Christian life, do they believe they are in right standing with God (Genesis 2:18 AMP)? Even if they decide to live a celibate lifestyle, would God consider this good?

According to the Word of God, when He created man, God looked at all He had done and said, it is not good for man to be alone. He then fashioned woman to be man’s help-mete. Now man has tried to re-define that word in all sorts of ways from taking away woman’s rights to treating her less than…but God.  If God, the definition of good, says it’s not good to be alone, there is no trying to redefine what that means (Numbers 23:19 AMP).

By the way, if Paul is the argument because he wrote most of the New Testament and was single, study the New Testament again. As brilliant an orator and leader Paul must have been, he had issues we can only imagine what they were. Do you know what that thorn in his side was he kept referring? As much as Paul studied, why did he believe he didn’t need to be married? He said, would that you be more like me as I follow Christ. But Jesus was wooing the church - His bride. What was Paul’s plan? Do you think we figured out what that thorn of the flesh was (2 Corinthians 2:7-8 AMP)?

Speculating, the New Testament allows us to see the perspective of how society has evolved and the necessity of accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-10 KJV). We can also read how many times the Word refers to the last days where men being lovers of self. If man tries to make sense of living alone, does he also choose not to be Christian (2 Timothy 3:2-7 AMP)? 

They used to say that there is nothing like an old fool. Why is that? Because all of those years of experience, skill, education, and knowledge should account for something. The raising of children, whether biological or not, knowing the difference of sincere love and blowing hot air, being able to tell passion for something and an opportunist getting over on someone are all skills best taught by someone who has lived and know instead of watching the accident happen. Who told that elderly man that he needs to be married? Everyone. So, why not take heed before the inevitable happens? Make it make sense.

Maury Povich, a well known talk show host, mainly for the DNA episodes, tells a reporter when interviewed that he airs those types of shows hoping that it gives insight to a generation of people not to repeat the mistakes of others. Over twenty years later, there is a generation that have made it their best efforts to get on the show and display the life created was like a soap opera. Did anyone inform that generation that after those 15 minutes of fame, they will have to go and sort that soap opera called, "the life they created," out? 

There was an article of a 33 year old man with 30 children standing before a judge in court for child support evasion. He said to the judge that he wasn't able to keep up with the payments. He felt after doing the right thing, it didn't leave much for him. He asked the judge for help in supporting all of his children. Were there older people in this man's life to guide him in the right direction after he had his first 2? After 10? After 15? In a different article a woman did the same thing. Not in the same city or state nor did she have as many children; however she had 14 and was currently pregnant. The state she was residing was going to legally take her children from her due to them residing in a one room motel with 2 beds. She also asked anyone who listened that she needed some help. Both of these examples had multiple partners. Was there someone...anyone showing them the right thing to do? When is it no longer the responsibility of the onlooker to assist?

If you don't see how this has to do with Christian dating, ask the person you are dating or considering to marry, the questions asked here. How does he/she think of the matter? Does it compare to the same thoughts you have?