I Have No Other Explanation-

By Guest Writer Lauri Lemke Thompson

Let’s be real here. Some of us are not spring chickens anymore (if you are, then go ahead and spring around!) But, seriously, the Bible says God can renew our youth. I know the so-called “fountain of youth” is a myth, but God can do whatever He wants, right?

          I volunteer at the local hospital, and people in their 70s, 80s and even 90s still come in and help. As I chat with my fellow volunteers, I find many know and walk daily with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I view their ability to serve as nothing short of miraculous. I see them do things like taking people in wheelchairs to their cars or helping visitors find their way around. God is clearly “renewing their youth.” I have no other explanation for them showing up, smiling and displaying energy—week after week, year after year.

           One volunteer named Ralph recently celebrated his 82nd birthday. A few years ago, when he was diagnosed as a diabetic and then suffered some complications, he was told to stay home for a while.

“Just what was I supposed to do at home?” Ralph asked me after he ignored his doctor’s advice. Then he needed gall bladder surgery. Three days later he was back in the hospital’s Emergency Room—not as a patient but in his favorite spot as a volunteer, greeting patients and wheeling them around, helping out however he could (including praying with people who were willing).

Aging impacts not only our bodies but our minds as well. Any senior citizen can tell you that ! As I said, I personally fall into the category of “not a spring chicken anymore,” and I am thankful every time I can learn something new, serve others and use my gifts in some way. That includes the ability to write these articles. I give all the credit to God.

Many older people suffer from depression. Billy Graham in his excellent book Nearing Home wrote that people he met who served others tended to be much happier. Rev. Graham warned that if we spend too much time whining, no one will want to be around us—how true is that! Nor is constant self-indulgence a good idea, he wrote, saying it is sometimes a temptation for seniors. I think if we follow Reverend Graham’s advice, God can renew our youth to make us capable of enjoying life and helping people as we age.

          Of course it’s true that we will have to give up some activities we enjoy due to age. That can be very tough, but it’s to be expected, and the Lord does help us deal with it.

          Here’s that promise I referred to earlier: “Who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:5 (RSV). God, in my own strength, I may easily give in to weariness of body and soul. I may succumb to feeling “Well, I deserve to take it easy now!” But, with You under my wings, I can soar.

          So, some of us may not be spring chickens, but we can be like another bird, and that would be the soaring eagle!

[Ralph Craig’s real name used by permission.]

“Used with permission from Bob Christian Photo”.

Lauri’s Bio

Lauri Lemke Thompson retired from a career in Human Resources and Communications. Having grown up in Wisconsin, she and her husband spent 28 years in the Carolinas before retiring to Branson West, Missouri. Hitting Pause, a collection of encouraging articles, was published in 2020, and she writes on a regular basis for the Branson Tri-Lakes News.

Another post from Lauri Easter is approaching!