Behind her were nearly 102 years of life on earth; before her were the endless reaches of eternity. Dena had outlived her peers.

I wanted to visit her again, perhaps for the last time. She had been my neighbor when I was a boy. She had known my parents, remembered when I was born, and could tell stories about my family that I was eager to hear. But I was primarily interested in asking Dena one question: “After living more than 100 years, what is the most important lesson you’ve learned in life?” So I asked her.

Dena paused, then answered with certainty, “Everything is from the Lord. ‘Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling.'”

I was not disappointed by her response. Any other lesson, no matter how significant, wouldn’t have carried the weight of those words. A century-old woman was still bearing fruit in old age. By declaring the goodness and righteousness of God, she had encouraged my faith.

Many societies devalue their elderly by overvaluing youth. We need to listen more to those who can look back over 70, 80, or 90 years or more and affirm without hesitation the uprightness of the Lord and His unfailing love in Christ. —copied