You’re Never Too Old

“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;” – 1 Thessalonians 1:3

Paul is writing to the believers at the church in Thessalonica, recognizing their faithfulness to the work of the Lord and thanking God for them. As I read this chapter, I was immediately reminded of several women in my life, whom I can remember “…without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father”. What special ladies they were to me!

One such sweet lady was Mrs. Dot (pictured above). She was in her seventies when I met her. I don’t know a lot of her personal history except that she had been raised in an orphanage. (Her favorite song was “The Family of God” – especially verse 2!) She had eventually fell in love, married, and had children… one of whom taught the 2- and 3-year-olds in Sunday school with her. I do know Mrs. Dot had many health issues. She had crippling arthritis, which resulted in her spine and legs slowly being broken down, and she struggled to walk. She was also a brittle diabetic, and by the time she passed at the age of 86, she was nearly blind.

What I remember most about Mrs. Dot is her faithfulness to the Lord. I do not recall a Sunday when she wasn’t in church, faithfully teaching her little ones, two of which were my granddaughters. I have a picture, which I cherish, of her praying with my eldest granddaughter in her class. Despite the pain she experienced in walking, she would climb up and down the stairs that led to her Sunday school room every week to minister to the children. Her determination reflects the instruction in Hebrews 12:1, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Regardless of her physical challenges, Mrs. Dot ran her race with patience and great resolve.

Another area in which she served was AWANA, our mid-week children’s ministry. She came to my class of kindergarten through 2nd grade children to help listen to them say their verses. She once told me that she couldn’t do a lot, but she could sit in a chair and help children learn their memory verses. What a lady! This is truly a godly heritage, and her legacy lives on in the Sparkies whose lives she impacted.

When I reflect upon what the Lord has done for me, how can I strive to be a godly woman like Mrs. Dot? How can I not serve Him to the best of my ability? 1 Samuel 12:24 states, “Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.” When I am feeling tired, overwhelmed, or suffering from joint pains, I am reminded of women like Mrs. Dot, who fought the good fight, kept the faith, and finished their course strong (I Timothy 4:7). Their examples remind me that even at the age of 70, I potentially have many more years to serve Jesus if the Lord so wills. Right now, I am not really limited in my areas of service, but that may one day change. Will that be time for me to stop working in the church? I think not! It may be time to find another area of service that is more conducive to what this earthly vessel can do as it ages, but I believe without a doubt, I will always be able to sit in a chair and listen to children say verses!

As long as a Christian is living, he or she can be used of God. In fact, when my work for Jesus is complete, I believe that is the moment He will take me home to heaven. Until then, it is my responsibility to keep my eyes on the prize set before me and run the race He has given me with patience and endurance.

I praise the Lord for the faithful women He has placed in my life to be examples for me. Their legacy lives on in the lives of the children they have touched and the women they have inspired. May I, through God’s strength and guidance, serve Him faithfully as long as He gives me breath.  I pray that I will “…press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14) as Mrs. Dot and so many other godly ladies I have known, and “… be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).

Lord, we ask for courage to face our struggles each day.

Fears of the past shall not last if we faithfully stay.

Let Your passion consume us, as to the truth we hold.

With our calling so sure, victory secure, steadfast we press to the goal.

Keep the race before us; keep our hearts turned toward the prize

With patience and endurance, the cross standing firm in our eyes.

Keep the race before us; and reward us, Lord, by Your grace

With crowns of righteousness from the righteous Judge,

When we have finished the race.

(from “Keep the Race Before Us” by Ron and Shelly Hamilton)

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24

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Imagine the joy in her heart when Mrs. Dot heard Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant...” (Matthew 25:23). One day, may we hear those same words spoken by our Saviour!