The following is a true story with a few modifications. It was sent to Genie by one of her retired registered nurse classmates of Naeve School of Nursing in Albert Lea.
A church in Atlanta, Georgia has honored one of its senior pastors who had been retired for many years. He was 92 at the time, and they asked him to preach.
After a warm welcome and introduction, as the applause quieted down, he rose from his high-back chair and walked slowly, with great effort and a sliding gait to the podium. Without a note or written paper of any kind, he placed both hands on the pulpit to steady himself, and slowly and quietly, he began to speak.
“When I was asked to come here today and talk to you, your pastor asked me to tell you what was the greatest lesson ever learned in my 50-odd years of preaching. I thought about it for a few days and boiled it down to just one thing that made the most difference in my life and sustained me through all my trials.
“The one thing that I could always rely on when tears and heartbreak and pain and fear and sorrow paralyzed me – the only thing that would comfort me was this verse: ‘Jesus loves me, this I know. Little ones to Him belong, we are weak but he is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me – the Bible tells me so.’”
When he finished, the church was quiet. You could actually hear his footsteps as he shuffled back to his chair. There wasn’t a dry eye in the church as everyone rose with a thundering applause and ovation.
Since then, a new version has been written just for us who have white hair or no hair at all. For those of us over middle-age or almost there, and all you others, check out this “Senior Version of Jesus Loves Me:”
Jesus loves me, this I know.
Though my hair is white as snow,
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in Him.
(Chorus)
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me
For the Bible tells me so.
Though my steps are oh, so slow,
With my hand in his I’ll go
On through life, let come what may
He’ll be there to lead the way.
(Chorus)
When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart he puts a song
Telling me in words so clear,
“Have no fear, for I am near.”
(Chorus)
When my work on earth is done,
And life’s victories have been won,
He will take me home above,
Then I’ll understand his love.
(Chorus)
I love Jesus, does He know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say
That I love Him every day.
(Chorus)
In conclusion, if you think this is neat, pass it on to your friends. If you do not pass it on; nothing bad will happen, but you will have missed an opportunity to “reach out” and touch a friend or a loved one.
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in Vermont. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.