I am reading Billy Graham’s new book Nearing Home — Life, Faith, and Finishing Well. Several years ago I read his autobiography, which was 837 pages loooooong. This book is 180 pages.
And it feels much heavier to me.
The message is one I think we have skipped in Christendom and life in general. How to finish well. Mr. Graham says, “All my life I was taught how to die as a Christian, but no one ever taught me how I ought to live in the years before I die.”
Old age has always fascinated me. Even as young lovers, my husband and I used to talk about the seasoning that would come to our marriage when we were old. Now that we are obviously passed middle-age (unless we plan on living to 120) I find that is true. Mostly. We are far from old age, yet the foreshadowing of those days whispers to us now and then.
Maybe those conversations from our twenty-something years are the reason my novels all involve old people. People who still have much to contribute after their bodies, and even their minds, stop functioning at full vigor. Or maybe the interest comes from the relationships I’ve had with amazing people who overcome the infirmities of age to remain witty, and brave, and flexible.
They are the people described in Psalm 92 as being planted in the house of the Lord. People who will:
Flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still yield fruit in old age;
They shall be full of sap and very green,
I want to be a sappy old lady someday. So, I’m grateful to Mr. Graham for being brave and honest enough to write this book. I’m grateful to his publishing house for producing it. And, I am grateful to Tamara at CrossRiver Media for ignoring the publishing world’s theory that “nobody will buy a novel about old people.”
I look forward to the release of Thirty Days to Glory this year, when Catherine Benson and her friends, the Glory Circle Sisters, prove that old people still have a lot to say.
Hmmm. I would be interested in reading his new book. I think there are so many lessons from older generations that (for many reasons) don’t get passed along, which is so sad. I’m glad someone with a Godly perspective wanted to pass along thoughts from his last years.
Also — I didn’t know your character’s last name was Benson! !!!!
Indeed. I’ve always loved the sound of that name 🙂
I was just catching up a little on your blog. I may have to read this book. When I was young I think mom read every book he wrote. Many of my days are filled with helping her to finish well. She has dementia and sometimes it’s challenging for us all. Then she will have those very clear moments and share some wisdom that stops you in your tracks. I was reminded recently again of how much she still needs to care for others. I have had this ugly winter thing in my throat. We were about to have our afternoon conversation of ‘come pick me up and take me to the house” and I shared with her that I was sick and couldn’t do that. Each time we have that conversation I respond differently, some days I can completely avoid reminding her that she sold the house three years ago. Everything changed in an instant; she could be mom and take care of me. She said “honey, let’s pray” and she did. Then she told me she could stay put for the evening because she has a nice warm room. She insisted I stay home and take care of myself. Her clearest moments are always when we pray and that is such a blessing.
Oh, Amy! Thank you so much for that! What a great story.