Old Age

SUN., JULY 9, 1989, 5:37 AM
FARM, STUDY

I have told you that three score and ten years is about the average length of life for humans in the earth. In your culture, with its many medical and public health advantages, old age can be a bit longer, while in other cultures not very many reach this age. In such places, with disadvantages, old age comes earlier. It is a stage in earth life, irregardless of the number of years.

Old age is frequently a time of pain and problems. The ideal of vibrant health up till the time of death, with a quick deterioration like the deacon’s one hoss shay, is seldom realized. Deterioration, with some pain, is normally not balanced. Weakness develops in some aspect of the body while other systems continue to function well.

My servant Mabel is well into old age and she still serves Me and others exceedingly well. Yet her heart is that part of her body that is not aging gracefully. It functions erratically, with discomfort and pain, which brings concern to her and to others, both family and medical personnel. There shall be times of normality, mixed with times of difficulty. I cannot guarantee a continuing fully functioning, pain-free old age. Old age is not often “just like the younger ages.”

I respond to prayers for her because she is such an effective servant of Mine. I already have prolonged her useful life, but it is not My way to institute major repair of physical body parts. Any particular body is good for some number of years, and then the soul moves on to some other realm. She shall be just as helpful and just as happy in the continuation of her spiritual life as she is now with a poorly functioning heart.

I have no clear message in relation to medical care. When it is rendered with the Christ spirit it is a blessing, whatever the actual effects. Yet the effects of multiple medications, procedures, and even tests on an old aged body are never fully predictable. A procedure that is normally quite helpful with a younger person may not be tolerated in one who is older. My will shall be done in conjunction with the realities of an old body, natural healing and deterioration, and medical interventions.

When the conditions of old age do not allow active service to Me the old one becomes a means by which others can render loving service. To be taken care of by others is not considered to be a good state of being by many, including you, of course. Yet I see value in this, and it is a stage some in old age must experience, temporarily or permanently. For some, this is a true test of spirit, for it may be a rather lengthy stage.

You hear, in one day, of Mabel’s difficult time in continuing earth life and of the death of a great grandchild before its development is complete in the womb. On that day, here in the earth, there were innumerable conceptions, pregnancies, births… and deaths. I am involved in all of these, but I am not frantically sustaining life against some grim reaper enemy who is trying to thwart My desire for more and more life. In this earth I have created there must be deaths to balance the conceptions and births. Usually I let the natural processes prevail. And these natural processes may bring sometimes painful dysfunction.

You shall present one of your, and My, favorite sermons this morning. You shall ask for My participation with you, and I shall be there. Do what you do with spirit and leave the consequences to Me. Don’t read your prayers, but don’t be completely spontaneous either. This is a fine opportunity with a small congregation. Be My servant in this rather direct way today.

You are not yet into old age, so enjoy this time of rather full function. Both resist and accept the progress into this final stage. Appreciate old age for its advantages.

So let it be
6:45 AM