Ruth's Song

          I love - absolutely love - being with anyone in their 80's.  There's something about that generation; all that they went through (the depression, World War II, all the other changes since the 60's) - I thought about this when I was with Ruth Huffman, the 84-year-old mother of my secretary.  When I'm with Ruth, I can't help but sing.  And I tell you, the hymns she loves are "pretty" old (you don't often ever hear them in churches these days).  And not just hymns, but other old songs from the 30's and 40's.

            I remember one time I called Ruth to thank her for a gift she gave me.  She wasn't home and I got her phone machine.  So I told her thank you and then said, "Ruth, how about singing along with me right now, 'Sweetheart, if you should stray a million miles away; I'll always be in love with you.'"  Well, I did that, what, a couple of years ago; I forgot all about it!  But I was at dinner last night with Ruth and my secretary and she leaned over to me and said, "Joni, I just want you to know that I still play your song.  I saved it." I thought play my song?  What's that all about?!  That's when Ruth told me that she has kept my recording on her phone machine for two years and when she needs a lift, when she needs a little encouragement, she hits the "play old messages" button on her phone machine.  I laughed!  That was so like someone in her 80's!  So like what my mother would have done! 

            Can you see why I so love my octogenarian friend here?  People who are in their 80's or 90's, well, they thrive on the smallest gestures of encouragement.  A note, a phone call, a song, a hymn, a hug - it doesn't take much, but they seem to possess a special grace (at least most of the 80 year olds I know)... they have a grace that I guess just comes with age, especially when you know the Lord like Ruth does.  For them, heaven is pretty near... for them, they've seen and done enough to fill a lifetime... and for them, they possess a perspective on life that's, well, nothing short of precious. 

            I cried after I left Ruth last night - I thought, you know, in five or ten more years, she may well be gone.  That great generation of hers - the ones who flew or fought in World War II; or the ones who, like Ruth, stayed home and cheered on her husband who was on a ship in the Pacific... that generation will be gone.  And with them will go so many of the old songs and memories, conversations and hymns that live in their hearts. 

            Proverbs 16:31 says, "Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life."  Look, I just bet you know someone like Ruth, in your church, your neighborhood... friend, that person is a treasure.  Share a little Christian encouragement with someone in their 80's or 90's today, maybe even the Gospel... because one day (and it's not far away), we'll be the ones needing that same encouragement.

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