It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows-- was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

-2 Corinthians 12:1-10 (NRSV)

MY father-in-law, Paul, is 97. When he was 79, he said to God, "If you let me live to be 80, I'll sing a solo in church." On his 80th birthday, Paul sang his first solo ever. After that, church members insisted he sing every year. This year, two months before his birthday, Paul suffered a stroke that weakened his right side and affected his ability to speak. While he was in the hospital, Paul managed to let his nurses know of his annual solo, and whenever they'd ask him to sing, he would -- all three verses of the song he had been planning to sing!

When Paul came home, we wondered if he would be able to sing his solo this year. It would not be possible for him to work with the accompanist, and he needed a walker to stand. We sensed that a tradition had finally ended. Then God nudged me: Have Paul sing his solo for the church just as he has been singing it for the nurses -- a cappella. So the Sunday after his 97th birthday, Paul stood and sang without accompaniment and from memory: "I am tired, I am weak, I am worn ... Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home."

Even though Paul's body is frail, with God's power at work within him, Paul is able to continue to sing of God's presence.

Tom Page (North Carolina, USA)

Prayer Focus

Those who are elderly