Compelled by the Gospel, PPL equips Presbyterians to champion human life at every stage PPL ENEWS Meeting the Challenges of Aging August 2023 |
By Rev. Deborah Hollifield Even to your old age I will be the same,
And even to your graying years I will bear you!
I have done it, and I will carry you;
And I will bear you and I will deliver you. Isaiah 46:4 Since the beginning of time, aging has always been an individual experience, defined by the particulars of birth, the choices made earlier in life and the consequences and circumstances brought about by those choices. Whether one is married or not; widowed, divorced or never married; with children or without; physically able, caring for a loved one or weakened and infirm oneself (or while weakened and infirm oneself); cognitively well-functioning or confused to some extent (or worse); isolated or in community; financially secure or financially precarious; grounded in faith or adrift (sometimes one or the other from day-to-day) - some combination of this list, plus others, become not "just life," but significant daily challenges. Many of these must be navigated alone, no matter how close one's family or community. Some will be too private to share. Recognizing that some of them are outside the possibility of human control, we have more time than ever before to muse ourselves into painful regret or depression. It becomes increasingly important to make a daily choice not to allow ourselves to turn inward, instead, making a deliberate effort to seek the companionship of Jesus through prayer; doing something intentional to regain our perspective; and, as much as we are able, to reach out with a helping hand or encouraging word to others. We hope you will take advantage of the resources highlighted in this Enews and on PPL's website, and that you will share them with your friends. Friends, do not let the world tell you that you are finished! Claim the promises of God to His people: "The Lord will fulfill His purpose for [you]" (Psalm 138:8). "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:5). "He will sustain you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Cor. 1:8). |
Finishing Well Ministries Finishing Well Ministries, based in Dallas, Texas, is a trove of resources and videos, whose purpose is to "mobilize seniors throughout their retirement years... We are called to keep growing spiritually, to keep being conformed to the image of Christ, to keep building the church, to keep sharing the Gospel, to keep on being ambassadors for Christ, to keep using our giftedness, and to keep on making disciples." One of their best, and most easily accessed, resources is their podcast, available on the Apple podcast app |
Like Trees Walking "Many of us are fast approaching the "golden years" of retirement, wondering with fear ― and hope ― what the future holds for us. And you won't find a better companion for the journey of aging than Jane Sigloh. She's witty, perceptive, and wise. A retired Episcopal priest, she is possessed of both reverent awe and irreverent honesty about the facts and fantasies of growing old. She interweaves the insights of Scripture, poetry, fiction, and philosophy into her memories and reflections on the challenges and opportunities that maturity brings. Dip into any of these chapters and find a refreshing perspective, a humorous anecdote, or an intimate confession that will ring true to your own experience." Available on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback, and on various used book seller sites. |
PPL HAS MANY RESOURCES ON END OF LIFE ISSUES Compelled by the Gospel, PPL equips Presbyterians to champion human life at every stage - from fertilization to natural death. The "End of Life Resources" tab on the PPL website contains a wealth of videos, books, links and information on matters including the growing pressure on the elderly to consider euthanasia and assisted suicide as viable options to the limitations and difficulties of aging and disease. There are also videos and articles on preparing advance directives and making other end-of-life decisions - helpful information for older Christians and their families. |
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