When I was younger, I hated the smell of the retirement home or the hospital that my great-grandmother lived in. I only went because I had to go, but it seemed to be that every time I went I had fun. We played games and talked mostly small talk, but it was fun because we seemed to be quite similar: we both cheated in the game, and it was the middle-aged folks that got all upset about our cheating; we both had a love for animals, and I learned a lot from that woman – she always had something wise to say. We were much alike despite our obvious age and physical condition. We were lighthearted, awkward at times, and loved to tell the same joke over and over again to all of our friends. But I wouldn’t have ever noticed this if I weren’t made to go to the retirement home. Week after week we went, and my parents and grandparents were relentless. I hated going mostly because of the smell, and told myself to make the best of it by playing a game or something. It is in retrospect that I see the wonderful similarities and how I really did enjoy myself despite my disposition to going.
The young and old are wonderfully complimentary, and I think this is something that is far too often overlooked in our communities and churches. Refusing to give up on the young people and connecting them with the larger body of believers is something I feel is vital to a youth ministry.