Daily Living for Seniors

[Judy Harder]

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. --Ephesians 5:1-2

Muriel McQuilklin was an amazing artist, a vivacious radio host, and a devoted wife and mother while her husband Robertson had a prosperous career as a popular Bible college president. But this all changed when Alzheimer's disease began to slowly steal Muriel's mind.

At the peak of his career...while many urged him to put his wife in a nursing home...Robertson McQuilkin left his college presidency to stay home and care for his ailing wife.

His critics couldn't believe he would walk away from "God's work," but this devoted husband shrugged them off saying simply, "There are others who can lead the Bible college, but I am the only one who can care for Muriel."

Even when she no longer knew him, Robertson lovingly cared for Muriel until she passed away in 2003, 20 years after her diagnosis.

Like McQuilkin, you may know what it's like to walk beside an ailing loved one. If not, you can probably relate to having to make some kind of sacrifice for others, be it a sacrifice of your time, your energy, or your finances (or all three!).

At times like these, Satan loves to question just why you're making that sacrifice, and what you're going to get out of it. But don't listen to him!

Remember the awesome sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on your behalf on the cross...and know that He will bless you for giving of yourself unselfishly like He did.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His wonderful sacrifice and ask Him to help you remember His precious grace when you must make sacrifices for others.

[Judy Harder]

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."  --John 13:35

Before he became the prime minister of Japan, the late Shigeru Yoshida served as an ambassador to England.

One day, he learned that a particularly annoying cabinet minister had come to London. Yoshida decided avoidance was the best policy, so he told his staff to tell the cabinet member that he was not available when he called.

Undaunted, the persistent minister kept calling. The minister finally decided to visit the embassy in person, and a polite man standing on the staircase said, unfortunately, he'd missed the ambassador again.

The cabinet member turned to leave, then turned back around in stunned recognition. He demanded, "Aren't you the Ambassador Yoshida?"

Yoshida reluctantly admitted he was, and then added, "And, sir, when you hear from Yoshida himself that Yoshida is out, you can believe it!"

More than likely, there's someone in your life you probably try to avoid. Maybe it's your nosy neighbor, the gossip at church, or the bitter man in the grocery aisle. And while your reluctance to mingle with these kinds of people can often be understood, I challenge you to try a new approach.

Instead of avoiding them, do something nice for the person who is a little hard to love. Perhaps something as simple as saying a kind word or doing something nice for them.

Jesus encouraged us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and that means the annoying, overbearing ones too! You may be amazed how showing kindness and compassion to someone will change your view of them.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His love and ask Him to help you love your neighbor as yourself.

[Judy Harder]

So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun. --Ecclesiastes 8:15

Paul Tournier, a well-known Christian psychiatrist, gives insight to the subject of happiness in his book, The Seasons of Life. He says:

"True happiness is always linked with deep, inner harmony. It therefore always implies an acceptance of one's age; the acceptance of no longer being a child when one has reached the age of adulthood, and the giving up of the goals of active life when one is advanced in years.

This is the age of retirement, which for some [people] can be a meaningful experience, while for others it is a cruel trial. ... Those who complain about their retirement are usually the same ones as those who used to complain about their work and longed to be set free from it!"

There's no room after retirement for a bitter, complaining spirit. So, why does it seem so many people are unhappy? Experts reported not long ago that only 20 percent of Americans are happy. The relentless message from society is that we must buy certain things or go specific places to experience happiness. If happiness is not a permanent condition in us, then there must be problems in our lives.

But, most people don't experience a lifelong state of happiness. Happiness is a choice...even if only a few moments each day. Think about the last few days...maybe you had an unexpected visitor drop by, a letter came from an old friend, or someone may have complimented you. Moments like those are the ones that make the seemingly "bad day" disappear in a flash.

Tomorrow, stop and notice the sunset, listen to the birds outside your window sing sweet songs, or drink up the peaceful serenity of a rain shower. Then, you will see the happiness that God desires for you to experience.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the sweet moments of happiness that He gives each day.

[Judy Harder]

"Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders." --Deuteronomy 33:12

Consumers lose millions of dollars each year due to identity theft. Identity theft occurs when a person's social security number, credit card number, phone number, address, and other personal information is discovered by a thief who uses the information for his own personal gain.

As as result of this, many people have purchased paper shredders for their homes to help prevent the theft of their mail or private information from a trash can or dumpster. While this kind of theft can almost ruin a person and is a great travesty, we must be wary of having our true identity stolen.

Satan steals a person's potential in Christ by convincing them they are not worthy of God's forgiveness, grace, and love. He rips off others by using peers to influence them in negative ways or creating enormous amounts of guilt. Through fear, guilt, and shame, Satan can prevent many from discovering God's ultimate purpose for their lives.

The devil's goal is to keep you confused about your spiritual gift and purpose, trying to dilute your true identity in Christ. Remember that God loves you and you are "precious and honored" in His sight (Isaiah 43:4). You are valuable. So much so, that Christ hung on a cross for your sins. How's that for value? And you are capable of being all that God's called you to be because He has specifically gifted you to serve and honor Him (see 1 Peter 4:10).

It may cause some problems to have your personal information robbed by the common thief, but it would be even more devastating to have the sneakiest crook of all steal your identity in Christ.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to guard your heart from Satan's crooked ways. Pray that He would strengthen your identity in Him each day.

[Judy Harder]

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. --Romans 12:4-6

Have you ever met someone who was gifted in a certain area? And you wished you could have that same talent? Maybe you've had a close relationship with someone who had a gift of teaching, or a special talent in music. A person gifted in a specific way has exceptional abilities in that particular area.

But usually regardless of how gifted that person is in one area, they are not gifted in every area of their life. No matter how good the beautician is, she must still depend on others to fix her car or hook up her cable. No matter how talented the surgeon is, he must still find others to take his family portrait or sing at his daughter's wedding.

In the church it is the same. There is a spiritual God-given gift that every believer in Christ has. And everyone is to use their gift to serve the Lord and His kingdom (see 1 Peter 4:10). Paul mentions several spiritual gifts throughout his letters including serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, and mercy (Romans 12:3-8).

Most people are born with natural talents, but only believers are blessed with spiritual gifts. Every Christian, young and old, should be using their spiritual gifts in ways to bring blessing and encouragement to others (see Philippians 2:3-4). And, most importantly, we are to use our spiritual gifts to bring honor and glory to the Lord.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: If you still don't know it, ask the Lord to reveal to you your spiritual gift. Ask Him to help you find a place to use your gift. Pray that He would use you to bring blessing, encouragement, and hope to others through your gift.

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, September 7, 2010   

Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. --Psalm 119:49-50

As people live longer, there may be a progression in chronic illnesses among senior citizens. While great advancements are being made in curing cancer and heart disease, there is a condition that can be devastating to the one it affects, and his or her family and friends--Alzheimer's Disease.

The progressive nature of Alzheimer's is well known to most. A person, usually older, starts to forget the details in life. And these memory mishaps become more frequent until they reach a severe level of disability and begin to interfere with daily activities. Soon, the diseased individual fails to recognize familiar faces and places, and they lose the ability to care for themselves altogether.

God knows and has planned every day of the person who carries this horrible disease, so their gradual downward spiral is no surprise to Him. While this change is hard on family and friends, and even harder to understand, God brings comfort to those who experience Alzheimer's. And while Alzheimer's destroys the mind, God continually gives strength and hope in the spirit.

Professional support groups exist across the nation for families and patients dealing with this disease. There are many helpful and effective ways to cope with Alzheimer's for both parties today. It's important for you and your loved one to continue on in an active circle of care. We are to continually have the mind of Christ Jesus...not our own, but His. So, put the health, mind, and spirit of the one you love whom Alzheimer's affects in the hands of the Great Physician.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the grace and mercy He shows us each day regardless of the pain and suffering from this world. Ask for God's protection and watch care over those you may know who are struggling with Alzheimer's Disease or any other disease.

[Judy Harder]

He guides the humble in what is right, and teaches them his way. --Psalm 25:9

The Internet is older than you think--it's not so young anymore. More senior adults are logging in and using the Internet all the time. In the United States alone, senior adults make up one in five people who use the Internet.

Using the Internet doesn't mean you have to delve into extensive research or know a secret code to enter the World Wide Web. Most people use the Internet to send and receive e-mail, read the news and current events, and find basic information on everyday topics such as the weather, travel, sports, and online shopping. There are even some senior adults who have joined online communities to meet and make new friends which, in turn, open opportunities to attend luncheons and talk on the phone with new companions.

There are still personal benefits for seniors to embrace in using the Internet--entertainment, money management, hobbies, family and friends, and grandkids, grandkids, grandkids! It is an easy way to stay in touch with the special people in your life.

If you have never used a computer or the Internet before, there are computer classes in almost every town or community. You can first check with your local library or public school to find classes nearby. And there's really nothing to be skeptical about when using the computer besides remembering to use caution when giving out personal information as you would "offline."

There are also some beneficial ways to enhance your spiritual growth through online Bible study tools and daily devotionals. Even as senior adults, God wants us to move forward with our lives, learn new things, and seek new ways to build relationships with others and with Him!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the new ways available for you to connect with other believers and with the people you love.

[Judy Harder]

Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord. --Leviticus 19:32

Honor should be given to senior citizens--period. It's in the Bible. Older men and women with years of experience and wisdom must be treated with respect. So, why does this matter to you since you're already a senior citizen?

It needs to be passed down to the younger generations. Children, teenagers, and even some young adults today are being raised without knowledge and practice of this valuable rule. It is your responsibility to share this with your already grown children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren because it's in the Bible.

"Never speak sharply to an older man, but please with him respectfully just as though he were your own father. ... Treat the older women as mothers" (1 Timothy 5:1-2, TLB). How many young people do you know who truly speak to older adults with the utmost respect? There aren't many in today's society. There's no respect for parents, government authority, school educators, much less the elderly.

And while there are exceptions, as a senior adult, you must leave behind the legacy of respect for older generations. Many young people don't realize the value in the wisdom and experience that a senior adult can give. "The glory of young men is their strength; of old men, their experience" (Proverbs 20:29, TLB).

If senior adults begin instilling these values into the younger generations, the respect you deserve will not be lost. In Psalm 71, the Bible records a senior citizen's prayer. "And now that I am old and gray, don't forsake me. Give me time to tell this new generation (and their children too) about all Your mighty miracles" (Psalm 71:18, TLB). As men and women of age, there is much for you to teach the younger generations--don't delay!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you a young person whom you can mentor and share godly wisdom and experience.

[Judy Harder]

Friday, September 10, 2010   

Praise be to the Lord; to God our Savior, who daily bears our burden. --Psalm 68:19

Depression is a serious mental health issue that affects people of all ages, both male and female. Sadly, concurrent medical conditions can actually compromise the recognition of depression in older adults. Some of the illnesses related to late-life depression are not only many forms of cancer, but Parkinson's disease, heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer's dementia.

Do you or someone you know experience these types of symptoms? Here are some things to look for: recent significant weight change, change in sleeping patterns, loss of energy, isolation, overwhelming feelings of sadness, unexplained physical symptoms, inappropriate feelings of guilt, and feelings of helplessness or hopelessness.

Beware that these problems are not just part of the normal aging process for older adults. Medical help is needed if you or your loved one is experiencing four or more of the symptoms above. But, whether you are experiencing clinical or chronic depression, or just the occasional bout of depression, there is hope in God's Word.

Every person experiences depression at one point or another in his or her life. In Psalm 107:10-11, the Bible records the prisoners "sat in darkness and deepest gloom, miserable prisoners in chains." Have you ever felt this way? To relieve their pain, they cried out to the Lord and "He saved them from their distress. He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains" (Psalm 107:13-14, NLT).

There is hope in the Lord to break free from the bondage of depression. In the Bible, Satan is compared to a thief who is seeking to steal, kill, and destroy you (John 10:10). But, Christ came to give you everlasting (John 5:24) and abundant (John 10:10) life.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for the promises of freedom from the bonds of depression. Ask him to take away the feelings of depression and fill you with joy and hope.

[Judy Harder]

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. --Psalm 118:24

Have you ever taken time out of your day just to stop and literally smell the flowers in your garden, listen to the birds singing, or relax long enough to feel the cool breeze outside? If you truly take the time to do things like this each day, you'll be amazed at how renewed--emotionally and mentally--you'll begin to feel.

When your joy and passion for life have been depleted, take action! Everyone goes through seasons of discontentment and gloom, and there are many reasons for its cause. It could be a stressed relationship, work problems, frustration or difficulties in a relationship with your children, personal criticism, or illness.

When trying times creep up on us, our joy seems to dissipate. You've probably heard the story of Jonah. He said about life: "It would be better for me to die than to live" (Jonah 4:. Despite Jonah's difficulties, even spending some time in the belly of a whale, God brought Him out of his unhappiness and restored his joy.

When your joy seems to have disappeared, seek solitude and silence with God. A hectic lifestyle is never a good solution for finding joy that has been lost. "Be still before the Lord" (Zechariah 2:13), and refresh your spirit through Him. Think about God's many blessings in your life, especially the people you love and the people who love you. When you're feeling like Satan has taken away your happiness, remember the declaration in Psalm 118:24: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to show you an opportunity where you can get away and be alone with Him. Thank Him for the joy and blessings in your life that can only be found in Him.