First Day at the Senior Center

I am bound to get old, which is what I was reminded of today while doing community service. This summer I ran a red light and instead of paying for the $420.00 ticket I decided to pay for it with my time by doing community service. Today was my first day serving and initially it was overwhelming to walk into a cafeteria full of very social seniors. There was an old man playing the piano with an upright bass guitarist accompanying him. Some of the seniors were daring enough to get up and dance a little, while others remained in their seats with a joyful clap that went with the beat. I got to serve by picking up their trays when they were finished, cleaning them off, throwing their trash away, and putting everything on the appropriate carts so they can be taken to the kitchen to be washed. I got to talk with some of the seniors here and there. Some asked why I was doing community service. A retired lawyer told me he would represent me in front of the judge so that I would not have to spend my time doing 51 hours of community service. I took his tray when he was finished and thanked him for his offer. What stuck out the most was talking to a man named, Richard. Richard chimed in and said, “Okay, why are you here? What did you do wrong?” My mindless response was, "volunteering." Richard was surprised and said, “Really, just volunteering?!” I clarified and told him that I was doing community service. He replied quickly, “Oh, so why did you say volunteering, are you ashamed of your past? ..Ashamed of your wickedness?” I wondered if he was a Christian, so I asked, and he said that he is an active member of an atheist club here in town. He said that he doesn’t believe in anything, but supports science and evolution, until someone proves it wrong and comes up with some other explanation. I asked him what his perspective is about life and he didn’t have much of a response. I said, “So, do you think that life just happens and then it is over?” And he said, “Yes.” He was a very nice man, but a man with no faith; a man who is blind and sees no glory. What was striking to me is that the issue that causes much Unbelief in his mind is his questioning of how Noah was able to fit all of the animals on the ark. It was so striking because that is the same issue that brings unbelief to Katie; the eleven year old girl that I nanny five days a week. An eleven year old and an eighty year old questioning the same issue regarding Noah’s ark was eye opening. They both have the ability to comprehend, but they both have the same question of unbelief, and it is God that has to open their eyes. Richard said that he is there every Tuesday, so hopefully we will get to continue our conversation then.

Being at the Senior Center and talking with an atheist got me thinking about eternity and what life will be like when I am old. Will I be hanging out in a similar cafeteria and socializing with other seniors to pass the time? I hope not! I don’t want to waste this life, not that they are. Maybe there are Christians who are purposeful about going their for their lunch with the purpose of being a light. But, I want to die running, maybe not physically, but spiritually. Retirement might result in me no longer working, because I am not fully capable of doing the job that I was once able to do. However, I do not want to be one who lets all of my life experiences and wisdom go to waste, while I enjoy leisure. Life through my eyes will always consist of working for Christ, and I look forward to all of the life experiences and wisdom I will get to share with others, if it is the Lord’s will for me to reach old age.

I am thinking that I am going to be learning more than I thought working and interacting with these seniors. Two and a half hours of Community Service down and 48 ½ to go!