MY FAVORITE THINGS

Dec 18

blog pic favorite things

Day 18 - Spend Quality Time with Older People

Are your grandparents still living? When was the last time that you called them? When was the last time that you wrote them a long, newsy, loving letter?

Are your parents still alive? When was the last time you had them over for dinner? When was the last time that you sent them an e-mail “just because”. When was the last time you spent an afternoon just listening to them share their heart with you?

Do you have a favorite aunt or uncle who doted on you as a child? Are you still finding time to fit that wonderful childhood influencer into your adult life?

Life is short and the generation that is older than you will soon be gone. Trust me ... I know. When they are gone ... you can still visit them. But the place that you will visit them will be at their resting place in a cemetery.

Visit them now! Ask them questions about their childhood.

Ask them to sing the songs of their generation to you.

Ask them who they voted for in presidential elections and why.

Ask them about their first love.

Ask them about their best childhood friend and favorite toy.

Ask them what historical event happened during their lifetime that impacted their life.

Ask them what new inventions were impressive when they were young.

If your family members are all gone, then build a relationship with someone older at your church or in your neighborhood. Take your family to a nursing home on a monthly basis and play checkers with the residents. It’s easy to do ... just set aside the time and then do it. Try the third Saturday morning of every month.

Initially, you will mistakenly think that you are spending time with an older person for

their

benefit but it won’t take long before you realize that you are the true beneficiary of a golden friendship.

Subscribe to Carol's Blog by Email

carol mcleodchristmaselderlyfavorite thingsgrandparentsJust Joy Ministriesquality time

Carol McLeod

Carol says, “I am just a girl who is head over heels in love with Jesus ... passionately addicted to His Word ... and find all of the joy that I need in time spent in His presence." Carol is a Christmas-aholic, loves ACC basketball and the beach! Like all menopausal women, she is overly fond of chocolate and enjoys a good read. She doesn't like cleaning her house and is an expert in carry-out dinners. She hates to shop … loves to jog … and somehow finds time in her busy life to hang out with small children. She is the kind of woman that you could laugh with over lunch, cry with over disappointment and shout with over a victory! But … if you need her official bio … read on! Carol is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. She also hosts highly successful Just Joy! outreaches. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN. A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers. Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain. She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY. Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren! Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN. A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers. Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain. She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY. Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren!