Notes From the Parish Nurse

There are many books on the market about growing older gracefully. The ones that stress the spiritual aspect of aging seem to cover especially valuable information. Two books will be discussed in this message. 

Some years ago, staff members at Martin Luther Manor held a “Spirituality and Aging Seminar” entitled “Living Well for Today…and Tomorrow.” One of the speakers was Lois D. Knutson, a Lutheran pastor, who had written Understanding the Senior Adult, A Tool for Wholistic Ministry. At the seminar she spoke about one’s spirituality in relationship to retirement from one’s life work. Reverend Knutson spoke about a “spiritual job description for retirement.” Following are ten suggestions that she made. 

• I will remember each day that I am loved and valued by God. 

• I will explore faith issues through reading Holy Scripture and other books on topics of religion and spirituality. 

• I will explore faith questions through discussions with my pastor and friends. 

• I will devote more time to prayer including developing a prayer list and/or joining a prayer group. 

• I will renew my commitment to love God, self, and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). 

• I will “walk the walk” and “talk the talk” of faith in ways that make the world a better place. 

• I will place myself into situations in which I may experience the Transcendent, such as attending concerts or listening to music, visiting art museums or viewing art in books, and taking nature walks. 

• I will pursue new secular vistas which further utilize my God-given talents, as in art, literature, music, computers, physical exercise, or college courses. 

• I will assume responsibility for sharing family stories and traditions, thereby creating a deeper bond among our generations. 

• I will engage in spiritual exercises which deepen my spiritual life. 

Author of The Gift of Years, Joan Chittister, “one of our most celebrated spiritual writers, invites us to embrace older age as a natural part of life that is both active and contemplative, productive and reflective, and deeply rewarding. She encourages us to cherish the blessings of aging and to overcome its challenges. And she shows us clearly that this is a special period of life—maybe the most special of them all. Older age gives us wisdom, freedom, and prosperity of another kind. Older age enlightens—not simply ourselves, but also those around us.” 

In her book, Joan Chittister includes forty short messages about such topics as meaning, ageism, joy, possibility, letting go, spirituality, loneliness, faith, and legacy. Each topic is about 4-7 pages long. And she concludes each topic with two summary comments. “A burden of these years is…” and “A blessing of these years is…” 

May you feel blessed by the wise words of these two authors.