Lesson Fifty

PAUL’S LAST DAYS

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Memory Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:14
Further Study: 2 Timothy 4:16-18; The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 461-513; The Bible Story, vol. 10, pp. 149-151

I am the only child of an only child so when my mother grew older, I was all she had and vice versa. We were fortunate in that she lived within 10 minutes of me and so my mom spent quite a bit of time with me, my husband and girls. In the last 10 years of her life, she had an accident that caused her to break a hip. This resulted in her being in a wheelchair. Fiercely independent, she continued to live on her own but obviously depended on us to take her to the grocery store, church, or medical appointments.

 I was working, had two growing and busy girls, was deeply involved in volunteer church work, and being there for my mother was a challenge at times in the midst of my busy schedule. I thought I was doing my best, but now and then there would be a reminder that sometimes came in the form of a rebuke. I remember once when she called me one evening wondering why I hadn’t called that day. “I haven’t heard a human voice all day long. It’s been incredibly lonely.” I still feel the guilt from that moment even though she has been gone for almost six years.

There are only three short verses for our study this week, but they are powerful when seen in the context of aging and loneliness. Paul wrote to Timothy about his feeling of being deserted—“No one stood with me, but all forsook me” (2 Timothy 4:16). Feeling alone (although Luke was with him), imprisoned, and recognizing he’s nearing the end of his life, he wrote urging Timothy to come quickly because everyone had left.

Since my mother lived alone, she filled her days of isolation with many things.

Since my mother lived alone, she filled her days of isolation with many things. She had a cat which kept her company. She had a mail ministry to shut-ins, a neighbor card ministry, wheeling around her building leaving cheerful notes, and she read her Bible and did Bible workbooks. A musician, she spent days studying the Psalms or Bible verses looking for hymn references in scripture. All of this was her way of doing what Paul references, that although physically alone, “the Lord stood with me.”

After many devotions written on Paul’s life, this is where we part from him and say farewell. We don’t know if Timothy arrived with his coat, but we do know that Paul was comforted by the Lord’s presence in spite of his loneliness. When I remember that particular phone call of my mom, I always wish I’d done more even though I know I wasn’t ignoring her and thought I was doing my best. Perhaps when Timothy received the letter he thought the same. 

There are still those with us who are aging lonely, or feeling isolated.

There are still those with us who are aging, lonely, or feeling isolated. They may be a family member, neighbor, friend, or stranger we’ve yet to meet. Perhaps like me, your days are filled with busyness from children to home to work to volunteer ministries. Let’s still remember our grandparents or great-grandparents. With today’s technology that can be as easy as a cheerful text message. Just yesterday my daughter sent a video of her boys doing a crazy dance to cheer their great-grandmother. It only took her a few minutes. Granted personal visits are best, but technology can make the distance shorter.

In spite of our busyness, let’s remember our elderly, the lost, and the lonely. Together we will all be renewed.

Digging Deeper 

In 2 Timothy 4:18, there are echoes of “The Lord’s Prayer.” Paul uses the same language from that prayer when he writes “the Lord will deliver me from every evil work,” and his reference to the “heavenly kingdom.” He ends that verse with a mini doxology: “To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!”

Making it Real

This week let us specifically remember someone or several someones this week who are either elderly, isolated, imprisoned, or lonely this week. There are many ways to do this. A personal visit is always a welcomed treat. Perhaps gather a few people and visit a local nursing home or assisted living center. Pick up your church directory and run your fingers through the names. Who haven’t you seen recently? Who might be cheered by a visit? Or send some cheerful cards and notes—one each day this week. Super busy? Use your phone for text messages or videos. Make others your focus.

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Merle Poirier writes from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she works as the operation manager for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines as well as the designer for KidsView, a magazine for 8-12-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family including being a grandmother to two active little boys, who greatly enjoy Starting With Jesus, and a granddaughter, who’s delighting everyone with her smiles. She is blessed to have all three living close by, continually bringing joy and delight.