Talking with God in Old Age: Meditations and Psalms

Missy Buchanan, Upper Room Books

The thought of growing old is or should be constantly on our minds.

Don’t ask me when we really start to think about the possibility! The reality is that all of us will eventually know what it is like. When that time comes there will be the periods of loneliness, the uncertainty of tomorrow, the length of the days and the things that we once tolerated that now annoy us intensely.

Finding comfort in these times must be very hard for older folk.

The recent illness of a close family member enabled me to discover Talking with God in Old Age. Here we have 42 uniquely crafted prayers spoken through a person in old age. Each prayer is accompanied by a reference from Psalms.

It isn’t easy selecting the “best” or a “favourite”. Perhaps the one headed “Real Person on the Phone” says it all.

“I wish more real people talked on the phone these days. I pick up the receiver and say hello. An unfamiliar voice jabbers on about insurance or politics. ‘Push one for this, two for that.’”

It concludes with, “Whatever happened to the days when real people called just to chat. To see how your day was going?”

As the prayer prompted me, maybe I’ll call an old friend today just to see how she is doing.

This easy-to-read book, set in larger type, is an ideal gift for a family member or friend. Buy two copies so you have one for yourself. In time you too will find it brings comfort.

Allan Gibson