“60 percent of people age seventy and older experience some type of loneliness.”

A thought by Miles McPherson (2009-11-01) in his book, DO Something!: Make Your Life Count (Kindle Location 1006). Baker Books. Kindle Edition.

God wants us to meet the needs of those around us.  That is one of the parts of being created in God’s image that we so many times miss because of our self-focus.  He is here to meet our needs and that is one of our purposes as Brian Moll, my pastor said yesterday.

Margaret and I are moving to Florida for one reason.  When God made it clear to me that I was going to Florida to help in meeting the needs of a widow in our family, my mother, then everything fell into place. It is unbelievable how God has worked everything out.  That is the first reason for our going but there are also so many benefits: close to my brother, sister and brother-in-law, warm weather, the Gulf, our own condo, and other purposes.  One purpose comes because we are moving into a 55 and older community.  What a tremendous opportunity to make a difference. 

Now we could just be focused on our one responsibility of my mother and all the benefits around us and not see the other needs also around us.  That is why this thought is a good reminder for me to see as we move into a community who has a great percentage of 70 year olds who are single.  There is a need for us to fill.

But someone might say but you are retired.  That’s what you used to be were paid to do.  That is true but I’m not retired from ministry I’m just refocused.  That is why I am on this earth, to love God and in turn to love my neighbor and a big part of love is meeting needs.  God showed us what real love is through His Son. 

The first key is to see a need and then you let God fill it through you.  You ask them over for coffee.  You walk the complex and greet everyone you see.  You stop and talk to them every chance you get.  You ask them how they are doing and then you listen.  You build relationships.  You take them to the store.  You bring them gifts.  You just be what comes naturally, you become their friend.

You see, this world we live in needs you.  That’s why Christ put you where you live, where you work, where you drink coffee.  So why don’t you look up and look around and see who God has put into your life who just might be lonely.

So who do you see?  What are you going to do about it?