DR. FRENCH O'SHIELDS An elderly lady stood alone in an aisle of a busy Walmart.

It was evident she was discouraged and very burdened. My Christian friend felt led by God’s Holy Spirit to offer the stranger a listening ear and a caring heart.

The elderly lady, grateful and eager for someone who cared, unfolded her life story of many difficult circumstances and exhausting anxieties. She lives in Florida in a mobile home but was in Surfside Beach for a week alone, accompanied only by her disabled husband.

For one hour, as shoppers maneuvered carts around them, the two women talked and later stood arm in arm and prayed. They had never seen each other before and probably never would again, but neither their faces nor the bonding that took place in a busy Walmart would ever be forgotten.

This lady from Florida is one of a multitude of senior seniors who

multitude of senior seniors who have their own particular cares, concerns and fears. They are not exclusive to them, but more intense. Some may be in your family, be your neighbors, attend your church or the stranger God puts in your path. Be sensitive to them. You may be God’s person to be their listening ear and caring heart.

These anxieties were often shared with me by others during my years as a pastor. I tried to respond in care and love. My full understanding of their anxieties, however, occurred only after I passed the senior senior mark myself. Now I know how real and troubling these anxieties can be.

The list of particular concerns are varied and long. Space only allows me to share three prominent ones:

First, to possess no detailed plan for the remainder of their life. Questions prevail without present answers. Where and how will I live? Will I be alone? Who will care for me if I become unable to care for myself? A basic plan may be possible, but a detailed plan depends on many contingent factors that are currently unknown and have yet to occur. The Bible’s Abraham as a senior senior was called by God to leave his home, his relatives and go to another land without being told where. (Gen. 12 and Acts 7:2-5). But, God did promise to be with him and care for him.

Second, feeling trapped by certain circumstances with no possible way of escape. Persons can feel trapped by various situations: a marriage turned intolerable; children who have disappointed; betrayals by family and friends; job and/or financial losses etc. God’s chosen people, Israel, spent 400 years as slaves in Egypt. Upon their exodus, they were surrounded: mountains on both sides, the Red Sea in front and the Egyptians pursuing them from the rear. Trapped! No way of escape seemed possible. Yet, God provided one. By personal intervention God miraculously parted the Red Sea for them to cross on dry ground, then destroyed all the pursuing Egyptians by the sudden closing rushing waters (Exodus 14).

Third, failing health. Physical and mental health issues fill senior seniors’ schedules, drain their energies and financial resources. The human body and mind, like all of physical creation, remains under the curse of sin and death. The Apostle Paul in Romans 8 explains. Though a Christian believer is already saved spiritually (in soul and spirit), their physical body, being a part of creation, must await its full redemption until the great resurrection. Then they will exchange their weak corrupt physical body for a new one incorruptible and full of glory (1 Corinthians 15).

These concerns and fears of senior seniors are not unusual or strange experiences. They are no surprise to our Heavenly Father. Jesus warned us that they should be no surprise to us, but offers assurance we can overcome them. We may not have a plan but He does. We may not have a way to escape our traps, but He does. We may not be able to rid ourselves of health issues, but He encourages us to seek temporary healing on this side of death and promises an eternal glorious future on the other side of death.

For every concern/fear we have, God has a promise. This one is special to senior seniors who trust and rely on Him: “I have created you and cared for you since you were born. I will be your God through all your lifetime. Yes, even when your hair is white with age. I made you and I will care for you. I will carry you along and be your Savior” (Isaiah 46:3- 4, LB).

So, my friend, tell me: Where can you find a more fulfilling promise than this?

Dr. French O’Shields is a Gaffney native and a retired Presbyterian minister.