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Do You Want To Get Old?
By Colonel James Sullivan

Recently I was visiting a 91 year-old lady in a senior care facility. She had been a clerk in one of The Salvation Army Thrift Stores in town. As I walked down the hallway I encountered at least a dozen patients sitting in wheelchairs. Most of the patients were in their rooms, bedridden. I asked myself, ‘Do I want to get old?’ (as if I had a choice in the matter). I was reminded of Hezekiah, the king of Judah. The bible says Hezekiah became ill. In fact he was told by the prophet Isaiah to get his house in order, he was at the point of death. He would not recuperate.
Hezekiah took the news hard. He prayed to God reminding Him how faithful and righteous he had lived his life. He wept bitterly. Life isn’t fair! His prayer was heard and God told Isaiah “Go back and tell Hezekiah that I have heard his prayer. He’ll be healed and live 15 years more.” Prayer can cause even God to change his mind.
The Jewish nation faced rebellion and a threat of takeover by Assyria. Knowing the problems Hezekiah would have to face, would I have wanted the added 15 years? How precious is life?
I completed my visit with the 91 year-old. She was so positive about life and the good she could do. She was happy. She was radiant. She knew she was on ‘borrowed time’ but she looked forward to each new day and thanked God for extending her life for another day. I left the care home feeling very uplifted by this little lady’s attitude toward life.
The Salvation Army offers me many opportunities to interact with
seniors. Our Silvercrest Residence for seniors is across the parking lot from my office and I have opportunities to visit and try to be an encouragement to the
60 residents there. We also operate Friendship Circle, an Adult Health Day Care Program in Henderson. Whenever I’m in Henderson, I drop in to encourage the clients. Actually, whenever I visit either of these facilities, I’m far more blessed by these seniors than I am a blessing to them.
Today I consider myself a senior. I am one of them. Clearly, I am glad to say, ‘Hey, getting old isn’t so bad. The alternative isn’t nearly as exciting.’
God bless our Seniors!