Information Related to "Women: The Young, the Old and the Blessed"
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Women: The Young, the Old and the Blessed By Louise Owen There are women who have lived and learned much in their lives -- and count their blessings. Here is a thoughtful, almost poetic, message from one of them.
ere I am, a senior citizen -- do you know what that means? It means I was once young. There is often talk about bridging the generations, but when you are my age, you do that within your own skin. Whether we are young, middle-aged or elderly, we all share a common source and a common destiny: our Eternal Creator and His eternal Kingdom. Firstfruits As women of God, we are all potential "firstfruits," but individually we are all so very different, with various heritages, experience and different daily activities. As women, our gender both binds and frees us to function within the unique framework of femininity.
Meeting the needs of others Perhaps I will be with you next year, but one day I will not be here with you. I hope to leave feeling confident that you will continue to love and help one another, to guide and protect one another. I hope you will sustain others and address their needs when you are asked to help.
It strikes me that to be old is my best service to everyone who knows me. I am one of the "widows" the Church needs. They permit others to have opportunity to express care for those whom our Father so plainly cares for. Blessed are those who greet, assist and cherish the widow. I am also rather infirm. Blessed are those who hug me when my arms are occupied with my footing, who clear my path, who greet me as I maneuver my way to my chosen seat in church or who on occasion have saved that very seat for me.
It strikes me that I should acknowledge the blessings I have received from others in my congregation other than women -- their spouses and sons, who are our brothers. I offer a heartfelt thanks to all of these men in my life. The gift Our loving and generous Father gives us so much more than the widow and the infirm for whom to love and provide care. He gives us all each other in a spiritual sense. This is the gift of godly friendship, and there are yet needs in the physical realm that can sadden the heart or gladden it when those needs are met.
I will never be able to repay in kind, as I do not drive. My husband once tried to teach me, but I found controlling a car interfered with my being able to window shop! There are opportunities we miss and opportunities we intentionally pass on. There are many such things that can be done for one another. Taking the time
What would you like to do some afternoon or some evening? Skipping over the "dearly beloved" or "best friend" that you regularly socialize with, inviting someone you generally just casually greet or converse with would be a wonderful gesture. Keep in mind any reasons why your invitation is not accepted so that such objections can be worked around another time. Finally, be grateful to the person who accepts one of your invitations, and just have a good time! As a senior, I am at one end of the bridge, and there are also others who stand by me, other widows. There are widows in deed and widows by circumstances. I should like to point out that there are younger women, with or without children, who can also benefit by efforts to broaden and deepen relationships with one another. They are often just as much in need of contact beyond church services, as are any of us "old gray heads." Let all of us grow closer as we bridge the generations with our friendship. Copyright 2008 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved. |
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Keywords: growing old widows kindness
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