Dear One,

“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from His.” Hebrews 4:9,10 comforts us with the assurance that God will give us a rest from our struggles and labors of this life. I can only imagine how much you must long for that. As we all age we do tend to appreciate more the ability to take a deep breath and watch things happen instead of being involved in working them out. It can be physically and emotionally draining to be always on the go. Aches and pains make personal activity more difficult and less enjoyable, so it is understandable when age brings a more sedentary lifestyle. The degree to which this describes you, my mother, is not my place to judge, but may I encourage you to hold out against inactivity as long as you can?

When Ecclesiastes 11 and 12 advise us to enjoy life while we can because one day we won’t be able to do as we wish, I hope that you see yourself on both sides of that warning. You undoubtedly do find yourself physically hindered in comparison to what you did in previous years, but you are also not yet at the end of your journey. Every day you draw breath you prove to be capable of more than what you will some day know. Enjoy these breaths. Do not give up doing what you can just because it wearies you. Activity will keep your body stronger and your mind more alert. Do be careful. Do not try to do things that are not safe for you, but as you are able, look for the small and cautious ways you can use the abilities God still grants to you.

This activity will not be better spent than in mental action. Even when your body betrays you and you are prevented from engaging in the physical action you love, God may grant that your mind will still be there to “work” and “race” and “engage.” That is a muscle that will stay strong to some degree based on how much exercise it gets. Ecclesiastes 11:9 says to follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. It is speaking to you as well as to the teenager inside of you. If you will help me see your interests I can help. I can be your hands or your eyes to bring you new things and ideas, but you have to let me know how. I can read to you from the Bible and we can talk about it. Even when you cannot respond to those thoughts it seems a part of your mind will still hear and be comforted by God’s Word and that will be enough. If I sing the old songs with you will you sing with me? Together we can make the most of all our opportunities.

your loving friend,

Laurie Moyer

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13