I'm not dead yet! by Pat Thomas Find out more about the ministry of the Free Will Baptist denomination at www.nafwb.org.

When my husband, Roy, passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer in March 2003, I wondered what I would do with the rest of my life. For almost 49 years of marriage, I led the busy, delightful, exciting life of a Free Will Baptist preacher’s wife. We moved back and forth across the country starting new churches, holding revivals, attending national conventions, visiting missionaries, and serving God in many capacities.

After Roy’s death, however, I found myself grieving deeply. I kept a lonely vigil, walking around our beautiful home in Greeley, Colorado, and visiting his grave at the nearby cemetery. I do believe grieving is a natural and necessary process, part of God’s plan when we lose someone we love. Grief causes believers to cling to the Lord, and God certainly proved Himself faithful as I made funeral arrangements, selected a grave marker, cancelled my husband’s cellular phone and credit cards, filed federal and state taxes, and completed the mountain of legal requirements that follow the death of a spouse.

While my grief was difficult, I did not let it stop me. I continued to teach the Women’s Bible Class at Highland Hills Free Will Baptist Church where my son pastored. I continued to play the organ at church, and sat with my handicapped grandson so my daughter-in-law could attend church visitation. I continued cleaning the church, witnessing to people about Christ, calling absentees, and doing everything I could to encourage the people in our congregation. I even found more time to spend in prayer and Bible study as a result of fewer housekeeping duties. These practical things helped me through the difficult process of grieving.

It is easy for senior saints to use increasing age and declining health to “rest on our laurels” and become inactive in the work of God. I believe, however, that these years can be some of our most productive for Christ. Here are some suggestions for all senior saints (no matter the age, health, or circumstances) to keep us involved in ministry during our golden years:

1. Take care of your health. Eat right, exercise regularly, and control body weight. Certainly we all experience declining health and become less active as we age. Many times debilitating diseases strike us, but as good stewards of our bodies, our “temples,” we need to do our part to stay healthy.

2. Work on your personal appearance. Older is not a synonym for dowdy, drab, dated, dull, or dreary. We can be modest, conservative…and up to date in our dress styles. As senior saints, we need to set an example for younger people “dressing down” in today’s society. We can do so by dressing our very best for church services, and by always looking nice when we go out in public.

3. Down size and simplify your life. Many seniors have too much stuff! Our houses and garages can become cluttered. Have pity on children and grandchildren and get rid of “trash and treasures” so they won’t have to do it when we die. Besides, the less “stuff” we have to worry about, the less housekeeping we will have. This will free our time to serve the Lord.

4. Stay active mentally by learning constantly. Computer skills are a great place to start. Make your life easier by paying bills and taxes online. Communicate with your family, friends, and missionaries by email. Use Bible software to prepare Sunday School and Bible lessons.  Read good books and study God’s word as long as eyesight permits. When eyesight fails, listen to God’s word and good Christian music on CD or MP3 player.

5. Listen to the news, and stay knowledgeable about current affairs. Vote. Stay politically and socially involved. Don’t become a “couch potato” or a hermit who never leaves the house. Go to all the church and social activities your health will permit, especially if these involve family members. Read denominational periodicals and attend quarterly, state, and national meetings when possible.

6. Stay busy for God and active in church. Talk to your pastor about starting a senior prayer breakfast or potluck luncheon. Continue to witness for Christ. If you can no longer drive a car, use the telephone to contact prospects and absentees. Since you have more leisure time, write or send emails to missionaries and assure them of your prayers.

7. Get involved in new ministries. Go on mission trips with your church youth group. Be willing to sell out, move to a new area, take a new position, and enter a new ministry. I became dean of women at Southeastern Free Will Baptist College at age 67. I had to sell my retirement home in Greeley, Colorado, and move to Raleigh, North Carolina. At age 70, I recently retired for the third time. I am moving to Florence, Arizona, to help the Howard Gwartney family start a new FWB church.

8. Be a good steward of your life’s savings. Be generous with your giving. Pay your tithes and give to missions and benevolent causes. Remember God’s work in your will. Set your house in order legally. It is important to have a current and living will, giving power of attorney and medical instructions when you become incapable of making decisions.

A child of God never has time to sit down and quit working for the Lord! I believe the senior years offer many wonderful opportunities for ministry. Most senior saints no longer work at a secular job. We can vegetate, become TV addicts, sleep our lives away—or we can use our golden years to accomplish much for the Lord. So, hey! Let’s get busy and stay busy for God!

Pat Thomas (pictured left with late husband Roy) lives in Arizona
where she remains an active part of a church-planting team.