10 books and booklets on old age and retirement 1-3
1. Christians grow old by David Gay is a slightly idiosyncratic and quite sermonic 42 page booklet with plenty of Scripture and various observations. The contents page at the front gives a good idea of what is to come. 1. He stresses the importance of conversion whatever your age 2. The fact old age usually means physical decline. 3. Seven general points from Scripture on the aged - they must: be respected, keep a careful spiriutal watch, keep hoping in the promises, still seek to be useful, prepare for death, not waste themselves on vain regrets, realise and accept limitations. 4. Elderly Christians are part of the family (an honoured and useful part) 5. Elderly Christians are part of the church (an honoured, teachable and useful part). Another feaure of the booklet is frequent pointed applications to young and old.
2. Making the mature years count by Robert Peterson is a 60 page large print transcript of Back to the Bible broadcasts from the seventies and has helpful things to say to Christians in their declining years. Four brief chapters cover God's care for the elderly, the importance of being positive, something on night time when it all seems worse and a final call to being thankful. It is as much a book on suffering as one on old age.
3. The final lap is a short 2023 book from a former neonatal paediatrician in All Souls, Langham Place, circles called John Wyatt. It covers three important topics. First, the change from work to retirement. He helpfully suggests that while there are perhaps some disadvantages in retiring, there is more time to be available for others, to share life wisdom, to foster intergenerational friendships, to share your faith and to pray. Second, the change from independence to dependence. Some sober and sensible things here. Thirdly, the change from life to death - the ultimate change we all have to face at some point. Again, some sensible things about reconciliation with others and faith in Christ. A useful little book. One tiny quibble - given that his chief metaphor is the last lap of a marathon race, why the vintage car on the cover?
