The license plate reads: Land of Enchantment AFN * 184 72 New Mexico 73. It was the car tag on our vehicle when we moved from New Mexico to West Virginia, and has hung on the side of our woodshed for at least 20 years. To some it is nothing more than a worthless piece of tin. To us it holds priceless memories of God’s workings and blessings in our early years of marriage.
One of the great sorrows of our youth worshiping society is their attitude toward the elderly. Surely our old timers often feel like nothing more than an old license plate that has been hung on the wall to be glanced at occasionally, but mostly ignored. Their wisdom and experiences are often like gold in a tin pan world. How much pain might we avoid if we all would listen, learn and apply their wisdom to our own circumstances.
Listen up young’uns. Psalm 71:9 is the cry of the heart of an aged King David. “Do not cast me off in the time of old age. Do not forsake me when my strength fails.” This was the Psalmist’s prayer to God, but we are His head, heart, hands and feet here on this earth. So do all you can to lovingly seek out the wisdom in the heart of the aged. Visit rest homes. Spend time with Grandma and Grandpa, and Aunt Lou and Uncle Joe every chance you get. Listen to them. Laugh with them. Play games with them. Share photos and your own personal stories. Cry with them. Ask them to tell you about the good old days. By doing this you will be mining the gold that is hidden there, gold that can be priceless to your own future.
To those of you who are nearing your retirement years: Don’t plan to waste them all on your own selfish pleasures. Store up your God given wisdom now. Dedicate the rest of your years to the Lord now, and the years ahead can be of great value to both the young and old. I can testify to that.
For you Old Timers! Don’t despair. God has great plans for you. You don’t have to end up as that old license plate hanging on the wall. God has promised us in Psalm 92:13-14: “Those who are planted in the house of the Lord will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age. They will be fresh and flourishing.” Pray that God will send those along to you who need the treasures hidden in your memory.
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