An Afternoon Life Lesson

by Susan Miller

Trish was in our After the Boxes are Unpacked study many years ago after she moved here from California to retire. We would see each other at church for a few years after that, then our paths didn’t cross again. As the years slipped by, Trish faithfully stayed in touch with our ministry and became a personal encourager to me through her lovely hand-written notes.

When I received a particularly endearing note not long ago, God prompted me to go and see Trish for a visit that was long overdue. During the 20-minute drive to her assisted living community, I was thinking of all the different things I could say to entertain her and keep the conversation going. “After all,” I thought, “someone who is ninety-four years old will need me to initiate conversation, be encouraging, and inspire.

When I arrived Trish was waiting for me in the lobby, dressed in a stylish sweater with a pearl necklace that added a little glitz. She probably weighed all of 90 pounds and, with shoulders slightly bent, was all of 5’1″ in height.

She took me on a walking tour of the lovely facility and, as we arrived at her apartment, I could see how pleased and proud she was of this place that she called home.

Trish nestled into her recliner, and I sat in one of the chairs she offered. I felt like I had an audience with the Queen. After all, it’s not every day I get to sit at the feet of a ninety-four-year-old as she recounted the details of a fascinating life.

I was spellbound for over two hours, captivated by amazing stories of her life in the early 1900’s, the history of her family for four generations, her short, romantic marriage, and her love for Jesus.

When Trish stopped to open a little gift I had brought her, I glanced around the room and asked, “Where’s your TV, Trish?”

She looked at me and said with conviction, “I got rid of my TV. I was spending too much time watching it, and it was a distraction from my time with Jesus. I spend my time reading my Bible, praying for other people that live here, writing notes to encourage them, and I’m also in a Bible study. I don’t know how much time I have left before I go to heaven and I want to be real close to Jesus when that day comes.”  

Oh. my. goodness. She was truly prepared and ready to meet her Lord and Savior.

Our conversation about Jesus went on for a while. There was no doubt how much she loved Him and how close she was to Him. It was obvious she was at peace anytime Jesus called her to her eternal home.

Trish walked me to my car and hugged me goodbye. I promised I’d come back to see her. I wanted more – more of her stories and more of Jesus.

In the five o’clock, bumper-to-bumper traffic her words played over and over in my mind – “. . . a distraction from my time with Jesus.” Those words have lingered with me since that visit.

I need to be intentional about my own distractions from Jesus.

There were many take-aways and life lessons from my visit with Trish that I will lean into and learn from.

• Take time to listen to the stories of someone who is from an older generation. The chapters of their life are like reading a history book and a novel all at once.
• There is much to learn from someone who has had more years of living life.
• Ask questions, the answers are often humorous, insightful, and may give you another perspective on things.
• You receive more than you could ever give, though you may think your visit is for them.
• Life is precious. Make every day count.
• Time is your greatest gift to someone.
• Don’t put off the overdue visit.
• Too much stuff, too busy, and too much TV can be a distraction from Jesus.
• Less is more.
• Jesus is all you need.

 From My Heart to Yours,