I am convinced that there is a spirit that we need to be aware of and avoid. I call it “The Spirit of Old Age.” Let me tell you why I say this. There are folks who think our life expectancy is about 70 years. If that’s true, I better be saying my goodbyes. 70 years was for those bad kids of Israel. We have a new promise of at least 120 years. Now, let me share something with you.
I have several ministries in Detroit. One is for writers and one is for widows, ages 35-101.
As I interact with these women, one of the significant things I have discovered is that some are far more active than others. I have come to the conclusion that the ones who are older and livelier are the ones who have not allowed what I call “The Spirit of Old Age” to attach itself to them.
Shockingly, one of the most active ones is the one who is 104! Her name is Melissa (Mother Ruth) Davis. Although she has a hearing problem, her memory is better than mine. Up until recently, she had a ministry where she got on a plane and traveled to NYC every year to lead an early morning prayer meeting called “Morning Glory.” This is a good example of the older woman leading the younger.
I met Mother Ruth at a nail salon when she was 93. She was getting her bi-monthly manicure and pedicure. I did a story about her for our local newspaper. Because I wrote a column for this paper, they accidently put my photo with her story, which I called “As Lovely as She Can Be at 93!” People thought that was me! And, of course, I was subjected to endless teasing about this. But I decided to capitalize on the vision. I began to see myself “As Lovely as I Can Be at 93!” And I have not allowed the “Spirit of Old Age” to attach itself to me. I told Mother Ruth that I want to be like her when I grow up. Now she calls me “Baby Ruth!”
Friends, we don’t have to allow the “Spirit of Old Age” to attach itself to us. We can live until we are satisfied according to Psalm 90:10 and we can bring forth much fruit in our old age according to Psalm 92:14.
Sure, I have heard older people say, “We all are going to die from something.” There may be some truth to that, but I’m determined not to die from FOOLISHNESS. How about you?
WRITTEN BY: Dr. Mary Edwards
Edwards is an ordained minister in Detroit; has been a community activist for over 30 years, author, book coach and editor. She is featured in “Who's Who is Black Detroit” for her publishing efforts. Founder of The Called and Ready Writers and Widows With Wisdom, she was Voted “One of the Most Influential Women in Metropolitan Detroit. Friends call her “The Holy Hookup Lady.”