Lessons from a Ninety Year Old

Last week, while canvassing, I had the privilege of meeting an amazing lady. She was ninety years old, and we had a great conversation. I was only at her place for a short time, but I learned a lot. I started jotting down the lessons she embodied, thinking I would only come up with half a dozen. But the list went on, and behind each point is a story.

Do talk to strangers

Take time for others

Give credit where credit is due

Don’t think too highly of yourself

Listen to your parents

Give

Value family and community

Stay upbeat – always look on the bright side

Find your purpose in serving

Work for your money

Be content with what you have

Say your prayers anyway

It’s okay for things to affect you

Don’t say you can’t

Cheekiness can be done well

You’re never too old

Don’t get out of your pyjamas unnecessarily

Relationships matter most

Don’t give up

The one thing to look for in a spouse is unselfishness

Take pride in your family

Be faithful until death does you part

Stories show character

We can always learn from somebody
The most important thing is love

I was talking to her for under an hour, but left feeling so blessed. If I had to sum up my perception of this lady’s life in a word, it would be the verb give. Almost every story she told demonstrated her self-sacrificing spirit, right down to the fact that she is currently looking after her husband who has Alzheimer’s. “He’s like a child,” she told me, “but I still love him.” And yet, she was so humble. I told her she was amazing and she said she was just an ordinary housemother. I told her she was an inspiration, and she looked at me and said, “Am I really?” then proceeded to tell me she was just doing her bit. 

While she was looking around the house for a donation for a book I was leaving with her, I noticed a plaque on her wall. It described how Jesus was so unassuming – he was born in a feed bin, he never travelled the world, he wasn’t heralded by leaders of the day. His presence was a gift, His ministry was denial, and His death ultimate self-sacrifice. And yet, He had the biggest impact on history.

When I commented on the message, this dear old lady promptly pulled the plaque off her wall and gave it to me. I can’t help but think that’s something Jesus would do.