It’s true, almost all of them have now passed away. The most recent one was in his mid 90’s, a tough-as-nails Marine who was saved at Guadalcanal after a shoeless jungle boy handed him a ragged page of Luke 2. Mr. Louy as I knew him, gave that boy his military issued boots in exchange for the gift of the saving gospel message.
I could give you pages of personalities, each one born between 1920-1940. They mesmerized me with their stories of surviving depressions, dust bowls, world war, loss of everything from children to spouses, homes to jobs. They knew incredible success and endless adventure. They traveled the globe by boat, planted churches, were captured as missionaries and held in prison camps, tortured for Christ, awarded bronze stars, tormented by plagues and scared by injuries. They never missed a vote, worked in the Conservation Corps, built the highway systems, filed patents, developed the stock markets, and Rosie the Riveter wasn’t a poster, it was their life.
They were my childhood friends, and invested in us constantly. One gave me my first rifle, a 30-06 he had built. Another, put his war torn Bible and his wife’s journal of missionary work in my hands. They counseled me through the teen years and proudly came to our wedding. They endured my first sermons and gave critique that was blunt and inspiring. Their jokes never leave my mind. Their ability to find humor in life, and see the hand of God moving in the worst of tragedy framed my thinking. They did not complain. They were fearless, frail and frugal. They not only lived their theology, they exemplified it and stamped my life with their love. Eternity was on their minds as they taught me to see beyond the horizons. They could speak of repentance and forgiveness over the course of decades and watched God’s work of redemption unfold. They were the spiritual fathers (and mothers) written about in 1 John. It was a privilege to look them in the eye, hold their hands and hear their voices.
One by one I attended their funerals. When old enough, I started to do their funerals. My friends that once sat with me, slowly faded away into that great cloud of witnesses that is receiving their treasured inheritance with our Savior.
Where do you find such hero’s? We found them every single Lord’s Day in our church. Not just in the general pew, but in the senior adult Sunday School class. My dad was their pastor and almost every week that is where you would find us Stitzinger siblings. Though we had a tremendous student ministry, nothing could compare to the living legends that surrounded us in that chapel where the Agape Fellowship Class, as it was known then, would meet.
Looking back, there are lessons I am still unpacking. Lessons of marriage, parenting, faith, contentment, hope and endurance. Only now can I begin to understand the overwhelming privilege we had spending those formative years in their presence. Proverbs 2:6 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” They knew His wisdom, and in their gentle and resolute way, they made sure we listening.
Pastor’s, make it easy for the youngest and oldest believers to find each other. Titus 2 discipleship shouldn’t have to fight its way through ecclesiastical bureaucracy. Creating meaningful interaction will reap benefits for generations.
Parents, put your children in the way of truth. As they sit under the pure teaching of the Word, as you diligently shepherd them at home, put them in the way of godly elderly people who exemplify holiness and humility. Though they may buck at the awkwardness at first, teach them to hold the hand and hear the voice of those who have walked with God for longer than any child can imagine. It’s more than a blessing to senior saints, it’s a priceless investment in the next generation. One day, every voice you once called for wisdom will no longer be there to answer. But their words of wisdom will engrave the Scriptures on your child’s heart and mind. In doing so, you will “train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).