Monday, June 2, 2014 Write it off to age. Write us off because of it. Us, of course, being the ‘aged.’ A slight, withered, old man came into the hiring office of large lumber company in Western Canada. “I’d like a job as a lumberjack,” he said to the personnel manager. The manager took one look at the old man and said, “Hey, you’ve got miles on you, and you are pretty skinny. It might be better for you to look into trying something else.” With this the old man picked up an ax, picked out a tall round tree, and cut it down in record time. “Why, that’s astounding,” the manager observed, “Where did you learn to fell trees like that?” The old man put his ax down and replied, “You ever heard of the Sahara forest?” “No,” the manger said, “but I’ve heard of the Sahara desert.” “Yeah,” the old man went on, “That’s what they call it now.” It’s true; the old must make way for the new. But it is equally true that the experience and abilities, and often even the intellect of the ‘seasoned,’ have much to contribute to the order of things. To be set aside solely because of age is a mistake. Here’s a sad statement: “Oh they didn’t let me go because I’m sixty, they let me go because the new employee will work for a lot less money.” One successful company said they made it because they found ways to use the skills of long-term employees, and the freshness and vigor of the new ones. Good for them. Yesterday at church when it was time for preaching, I went to the pulpit. Generally I stand in the chancel area in the center of the Sanctuary. I said, “I need to use the pulpit today, because I need something to lean on.” And I did. This recouping period after chemo and radiation is making itself something of a pest, and some of the changes and losses from trying to do loving ministry in changing times comes at a cost that challenges your soul. But I did preach from my heart, and added near the close, that “I would like to have a while longer to preach despite age and voice and physical limitations.” One of those graceful people that make up part of just about every congregation came up after church and said, “The sermon was ageless, your voice packed with power, and your limitations make us want to be helpful to you and others too. Stay with it preacher.” Grace still finds its way to church, dear friends. This morning, I will drive to Clinton to the little studio that Anthony Thaxton, our producer for the Methodist Hour TV program; ‘Time That Makes The Difference’ has built to film our series. * I’m going to drive slowly to the place because they have been showing ‘re-runs’ with me being both younger and ‘with voice.’ I’m thinking of Jeff, and Ted Williams and Mickey Mantle as I write this. Jeff, our minister of counseling, once quietly told about how Ted Williams retired with a home run, and Mickey Mantle kept trying but never quite ‘got up to snuff’ again. I don’t want to keep going if the home runs are over and done, but Lord forgive me, as long as I can say something like, “The God of all creation, has come to us in unconditional and steadfast love in Jesus Christ, and it’s for any of us who will receive it,” I’d like to stay in the game. But knowing ‘when to hold them, and when to fold them’ continues to be a word to consider-- whatever our age. Two best friends went from a neighborhood in New York to careers, one in the Navy and the other in the Army. Years passed, and the Navy guy’s ship was in port for the evening. Needing to ‘do’ his laundry, he went to a laundromat, which was packed. Driving a bit, he found another less busy. As he put his things into the machine, he realized he was a bit short of change and asked the man to his immediate right if he could change a dollar. “Sure,” the guy said, gave the money, and turned back to his machine. Then he turned to stare at the fellow who needed change: “George” he shouted it, “is that you?” The second fellow stared back, “Tony! Tony? It can’t be!” They hugged and shared their life stories thirty years later. Tony had ‘an overnight’ at the same place as well. See? Years pass, age happens, but friendship and love continue. ‘There is a tide in the affairs of men (and women),” there is a world filled with some would call coincidence, and others call the movement of divine history, or some such. This movement includes the not yet born, the young, the middle-aged, and the slightly older. See? There’s a place for each of us, and will be as long as we’re willing to go find an ax and a tall strong tree! Always love, always, Keith *Our TV program (I’ve been doing a four minute Sunday school lesson for over forty years) is on in your area. Please tune in. To find out where and when, call up Thehour.org on your computer.
Posted on: Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:58:46 +0000
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