90 … Say What?! by Chelsey Munneke on 07/07/2010 at 12:00 PM

Today, while filling up my Chick-fil-A mug with my second dose of coffee, I met a lively, elderly man we will call Bill.

Intrigued at my involvement in Focus, Bill began to ask where my comrades and my stomping grounds were. We listed off three different states in three very different parts of the country. Bill had a story to go with each. Of course, the extent of his story about South Dakota was that he drove through it, but I'm used to this response.

Bill then went on to tell us an abbreviated, well-rehearsed, life story. Ten years as a pastor here, 20 years living there, 30 more years ministering out there. The verbal biography ended with, “Oh, and I’m 90!”

What?! Completely taken off guard, we complimented him on his looks and agility. His smile proved that he got this a lot. Bill then told us his secret to life. First, he gave the glory to his creator. “... only by God’s grace,” he humbly admitted. Second, he credited barbells, and you guessed it: ping-pong! “I actually just got back from the Y,” he confessed with an ear-to-ear grin.

What a man, what a life, and what a legacy he will leave. I would have loved to sit down with Bill and hear out his journey of life and how God led him from point A to point B. At 90 years old, this man’s ministry was still in full force. He pulled out his business card and told us about the current work he is doing.

I only hope that I can be filled with this much passion and perseverance now in my youth and into every day that God gives me. As Christians we're never too old or too young. God can use us right where we are at.

Whether 9 or 99, book worms, or ping-pong pros, God has a plan. We just need to take on the happy heart of service and continue to seek out His will.

90 … Say What?! by Chelsey Munneke on 07/07/2010 at 12:00 PM

Today, while filling up my Chick-fil-A mug with my second dose of coffee, I met a lively, elderly man we will call Bill.

Intrigued at my involvement in Focus, Bill began to ask where my comrades and my stomping grounds were. We listed off three different states in three very different parts of the country. Bill had a story to go with each. Of course, the extent of his story about South Dakota was that he drove through it, but I'm used to this response.

Bill then went on to tell us an abbreviated, well-rehearsed, life story. Ten years as a pastor here, 20 years living there, 30 more years ministering out there. The verbal biography ended with, “Oh, and I’m 90!”

What?! Completely taken off guard, we complimented him on his looks and agility. His smile proved that he got this a lot. Bill then told us his secret to life. First, he gave the glory to his creator. “... only by God’s grace,” he humbly admitted. Second, he credited barbells, and you guessed it: ping-pong! “I actually just got back from the Y,” he confessed with an ear-to-ear grin.

What a man, what a life, and what a legacy he will leave. I would have loved to sit down with Bill and hear out his journey of life and how God led him from point A to point B. At 90 years old, this man’s ministry was still in full force. He pulled out his business card and told us about the current work he is doing.

I only hope that I can be filled with this much passion and perseverance now in my youth and into every day that God gives me. As Christians we're never too old or too young. God can use us right where we are at.

Whether 9 or 99, book worms, or ping-pong pros, God has a plan. We just need to take on the happy heart of service and continue to seek out His will.

Comments

[1. Alena said the following at 1:05 PM on Jul 7:]

1

Wow, I love it when I have the privilege of running into older men and women like this who have such a passion for life! God certainly uses people of all ages and some of the most amazing tasks He sets before those our culture would write off as 'over the hill'. There's no age discrimination in His eyes!

[2. gzt said the following at 7:21 AM on Jul 8:]

2

Yes, God and barbell training truly are the secrets to lasting vitality.

[3. JLee said the following at 6:53 PM on Jul 8:]

3

I love this - I heard an elderly man in my church who was leaving to go on an overseas mission trip say something about wanting to "wear himself out serving God." It's so encouraging to know people who could just say they are too old and have served their time (no one would blame them), but instead continue to serve joyfully in whatever capacity they can. I want to be like that!

[1. Alena said the following at 1:05 PM on Jul 7:]

1

Wow, I love it when I have the privilege of running into older men and women like this who have such a passion for life! God certainly uses people of all ages and some of the most amazing tasks He sets before those our culture would write off as 'over the hill'. There's no age discrimination in His eyes!

[2. gzt said the following at 7:21 AM on Jul 8:]

2

Yes, God and barbell training truly are the secrets to lasting vitality.

[3. JLee said the following at 6:53 PM on Jul 8:]

3

I love this - I heard an elderly man in my church who was leaving to go on an overseas mission trip say something about wanting to "wear himself out serving God." It's so encouraging to know people who could just say they are too old and have served their time (no one would blame them), but instead continue to serve joyfully in whatever capacity they can. I want to be like that!