6.11- Old men have an important role in our community. Mr. Johnson was one of the frst old man I got to know outside my family.

 6.11-

Old men have an important role in our community. Mr. Johnson was one of the frst old man I got to know outside my family.

I was being allowed to be one of the key teachers in the city of Mesquite, Texas. I had trained for six years to be qualified to teach. I wanted to teach all ages. I loved making people laugh as they learned everything from typing, shorthand, biology, earth science, bookkeeping, basketball to Bible. The teaching was generally fun and exciting.

Then there was this hard part of being a leader. Mr. Johnson had a beloved wife of many years. How could I be a teaching/learning partner with him without going to see him at his home when his wife died? Not possible the way I was raised.

When you ask to be a teacher you are asking to drink a cup of bitter suffering with those you teach. My great nephew, Jackson, lost his mom when he was six. His young teacher embraced him and became much more than a teacher, but a second mom figure. Teachers and coaches and ministers learn this quickly or they cannot succeed. Are you asking to be leader? You asking for wisdom and strength from the school of suffering.

Mr. Johnson taught me much in our weekly visits. How to love and cope with loss. How to move in pain and keep moving. How to keep your faith in God when you feel forsaken by Him. God has a place for old men on his life long university staff? Do you?

1 Peter 5.

5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[a]

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

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13Larry Wilterdink, Abel Alvarez and 11 others