Love For People

I must say that I really do love people. It’s even cool to go to the mall and watch people for a bit. I often try not to be a person people watch, but I really can’t control that much. I like young people and older people especially. In some circles, I’m old, but in other circles I’m a young guy. I’ve also heard from my older friends that “age is a relative term”. Young people can be so idealistic and enthusiastic. Older people are seasoned, a bit slower, but overflowing with wisdom and experience. I sometimes think I would enjoy being young again knowing what I know now.

King David was returning to Jerusalem after a failed coup by his son Absalom. He is emotional and full of grief at his son’s death. His return to Jerusalem is being celebrated and enthusiastically supported by people in all of Israel. I especially like the exchange by this older gentleman. Check this out…

31 Barzillai the Gileadite also came down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan with the king and to send him on his way from there. 32 Now Barzillai was very old, eighty years of age. He had provided for the king during his stay in Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. 33 The king said to Barzillai, ‘Cross over with me and stay with me in Jerusalem, and I will provide for you.’

36 Your servant will cross over the Jordan with the king for a short distance, but why should the king reward me in this way? 37 Let your servant return, that I may die in my own town near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Kimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him whatever you wish.’ (2 Samuel 19:31-33; 36-37 NIV)

Something about this older gentleman simple drew David in. While the man was a good bit older than David, he showed great respect. David obviously respected Barzillai. I loved a quote that I recently heard from Lou Holtz, the long-time football coach of Notre Dame. He was speaking to a bunch of graduates and challenged them to listen to what he was about to say. After all, he said: “I’ve been where you are in my early 20’s, but you haven’t been where I’m at now – age 78”. (Apologies for probably not getting that quote exact.)

I’m learning that even though I know a lot of things that won’t work because I’ve experienced some failure, it’s hard for younger people to hear some of that advice giving from older folks.

I’m thankful to have had some older folks in my life that I’ve trusted over the years. I’m blessed to have had a close relationship with my grandparents. I learned volumes from them, just by hanging around them. Recently, I’ve been super thankful for the opportunity to hang around some younger people to see them dream and think about a world outside themselves.

The Good Lord created all sorts of people on this earth. I’ll admit that some of them are a bit strange and even weird. We all have blood flowing through our veins. We all need love and to be loved. We all will die one day. I would be wise to chase after the Creator every day and enjoy the journey! I want to stay young at heart even though my body is “climbing the ladder of age”! I want to continue to love people and be loved by people. God wired me this way, and He is the Ultimate Example of Love….He loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son”.

Pressing On!

Dwayne