Old but not irrelevant

The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair is the splendor if the old. Proverbs 20:29 (NIV)

Our home culture glorifies youth.  As people "mature" they are considered less and less relevant.  In old days, white hair was considered a sign of wisdom.  By one's age, one earned the right to be heard.  Not so much anymore.  The opinions of the experienced are considered "old-fashioned", "out-of-date", or "irrelevant. Old people are often considered a burden.

One of the nice things about Thai culture (though it is disappearing) is that there is still status connected with age. It's refreshing. (see more on that here.) We are in our sixties and we are stilled deemed worthy of offering something of value.

It's even more rewarding with the youth.  There are some young people at church that actually like hanging out with us.  Granted, we try to make it worthwhile.  We regularly teach some guitar and music.  Since this month is school break, we tried to have some extra activities for the young people.  Earlier last week, Ingrid invited some of the girls over to make muffins.  A few days later we took some people to a park about an hours drive away.

Making Muffins

Visit to a park with interesting rock formations

Along the way, they learned some Bible and some English.  We learned some Thai and learned more about Thai culture.

Of course, staying relevant in the lives of these young people takes effort takes some effort on our part.  We have to invest time and energy into the task.  It also takes a measure of humility.  We only hope that as the teens mature, they will remain interested in what we have to offer.  Meanwhile, we thank God for the opportunity to have a positive influence in their lives.

Worn Pretty

In a recent post, I wrote about being worn out.

Lots of things are subject to wear and tear.  But wear and tear can have different affects on things.
Even things of the same nature can be differently affected by wear and tear.

The other day I was noticing some seashells.  Some seashells as they get old look just plain old.  Broken. Worn. Chipped.




On the other hand, aging and wearing down seems to enhance or bring out beauty hidden some shells.




About 30 years ago I made the observation that when people get old they seem to go one of two ways.  Some people get better with age.  Others just get bitter.

I determined that I would rather be one of those who gets better than bitter.  But I'm not totally sure I know how to do that.

Now, a few decades on, I can see how one can easily slip from the path to being better to the path of being bitter.

So how do I do it?  How do I become like one of those sea shells that gets more beautiful with time?

One one of the key ingredients that seemed apparent to me even back then is forgiveness.  If we don't learn to forgive, we will get bitter sooner rather than later.

Another characteristic of non-bitter people seems to be gratefulness.  They don't think the world owes them anything and they are grateful for what they have.  They don't compare what they have with what others have.

Another thing I notice about non-bitter people is that they are good listeners.  They are truly  interested in others and listen not with the intent of one-upping them but to really hear what they have to say.

There may be other things and perhaps some of those who are older than me could add to the list.

Jesus said: "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." (Matthew 5:13 NIV)

We who believe in Jesus are supposed to be like salt to the earth-enhancing the quality of it.  If we get better as we age, we can continue to do so.  But if we get bitter, we become like salt without saltiness-just plain grit that scratches things and roughs things up.

Lord, help me to get better with age.  Help me to forgive those who have offended me.  Help me to be grateful and appreciative for what I have. Help me to really be interested in others.  Help me to hang onto my saltiness.

Worn Out?

I can't say it owes us anything.

Almost 33 years ago we received a wedding gift from my brother and sister-in-law.  It was a set of metal measuring cups and measuring spoons that came with a little tree-like stand to hang them from.

They were mailed to us in Alabama, where we were living at the time.  From there they traveled with us to Haiti.  Then to Mountain View, California.  Then to Bakersfield.  Then to Fresno.

In preparing to move to Thailand, we decided to dispose of the little tree and just bring the utensils.  So they traveled with us to Bangkok.  Then to Chonburi.  Then to Chachoengsao.  And lastly they made the trip to Northern Thailand.

They have served us well.  Baking things for ourselves and others.  Teaching kids. Teaching adults.

A lot of tasty memories and fun times are attached to these little pieces of stainless steel.

But finally, all that strain got to the biggest cup...

and the handle came off.




At first I thought we would just throw it out.  It served well for many years.  Maybe it was time for it to retire.  But my frugality got the better of me and so I bought some epoxy putty on our last trip to Chiang Rai.

Back in business.



Hopefully, these little utensils will last us for many years to come (though I don't know that they would be a priority item if we move back to North America).  Like our bodies, they are a little worn with time but they still serve the purpose for which they were made.  Maybe they need a little more attention now, but they still work.

I'd like to be like Caleb who said:

And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, just as he said, these forty-five years since the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old.  I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming.  (Joshua 14:10-11 ESV)

It's hard to imagine me being like this at 85 when I wake up with achy joints in the morning--and I'm not even 60 yet.  (Maybe my cycling muscles are even stronger than when I was 40 just because I do it more--though when I start my rides it feels like it's been ages since I last rode, even if it was only the day before.)

But God only calls me to be like the cup and serve the purpose I was created for.  If I do this, then I can trust the One who gives me that purpose to also provide the strength I need.

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.  He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.  Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;  but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)

Inevitable Change

We are back in Barrhead, Alberta, Canada, to spend time with Ingrid’s family.

Since my first visit here over 30 years ago, many things have changed here, though some changes are more significant than others.

As I walked around town, I notice many new names on storefronts.  The IGA has moved and enlarged and is open 24 hours.

Several years ago, the trains quit servicing the elevators, so that now the farmers have to truck their grain and canola long distances.  The elevators still stand, though under private ownership and being used by a grain trader/middleman.

The grain elevator in Barrhead, Alberta, Canada

The big change for us is the location of Ingrid’s parents.  Just after our last visit 3 years ago, they moved off the farm and into town.  So this is our first time staying with them in the new place.

The new home place

The house is not far from downtown—but neither is anything else here.  This morning I walked almost the entire perimeter in about an hour and a half.

People change, too.  How is it that some of the younger cousins now have gray hair?  This struck me particularly this morning.  I see many people about our age thinking about retirement.  Yet we, only recently made a career change.  It seems to me that making a career change in one’s 50’s helps keep one mentally young, since it is almost like we are starting out in life again.  (Though I must admit that at times I feel especially old when we struggle at trying to learn a new language.)

The old home place

As much as I like many things about the old Barrhead and the pattern of life we enjoyed here, we cannot stop change.  Some things, I admit, are better now.  My trip to the library this morning gave me the fastest internet access I have ever experienced anywhere!

Still, it would be nice to step out of the house and onto the farm.  And while that is not possible, it is possible to enjoy the company of family and friends we have not seen in a while.  We can reminisce about “old times” while enjoying the present and looking forward to what God is going to do in each of our lives in the future.

And in the midst of all this constant change, we rejoice that we have a God that does not change, whose very character defines the word “faithful”. 

We pray that even though our bodies will go through inevitable changes our faith will remain strong until the end.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:7-8 ESV)

You’re never too young

For the past couple of weeks, we have had new helpers in the children’s program we are helping to run at Sila Church.  Some of those who were helping before we’re too tired from working long hours at their job to commit to the 2 hour a day, 4 day per week program that had been going on since before we came to Chonburi.

But then we got a new volunteer.  Upa is the only person in church who is older than us.  She faithfully comes to the twice-a-week program—driving up on her little motorcycle with sidecar.  She helps gather children to come and to walk them home.  She helps communicate some things that I still struggle to communicate with my rudimentary Thai.

And even though she is not completely literate in Thai, she is right there with the children in trying to learn English and learning new songs in both English and Thai.

Upa helping to lead new songs

All this from a very humble woman of little means who struggles with many health issues.

As we continue in our challenge to learn Thai, we sometimes think, “this would have been a lot easier 30 years ago when our brains were a bit fresher.”  Yet Upa is an inspiration to us—she does not let her age keep her from trying to learn new things.  If Upa can do it, so can we.

God, I thank you for the wonderful people like Upa that you have placed in our lives.  Thank you for the inspiration they bring to us.  I pray that you give Upa strength and wisdom so that she can continue to be a bright light for you in Ang Sila.  I pray that you will use her faith to bring many others into your kingdom as she faithfully serves you.

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."--1 Peter 5:5 (NKJV)