• The wisdom of the aged (Job 12:12): What a wonderful
thing to gather our children around us and to take the
time to listen to the lessons the aged have learned. The
elderly have the context of a time gone by, along with an
appreciation of the present. That wisdom is to be valued
and not simply dismissed by the pace of the present.
• The storytelling of the aged (Ps 78:4): The best lessons
come in stories. There’s much of our present world
built upon artificial lessons delivered from the stage
or behind the lectern. But there’s tremendous power
in stories that tell the work of God and His provision
from those who have fought the battles, survived the
droughts, and learned the hardest life lessons.
• The community of family (Prov 23:22): The Bible
teaches us about the value of gathering as a family,
honoring the aged, and the joy that comes from caring
for one another.
All of this reminds me of another day and time. As God
instructed the children of Israel on their exit out of Egypt,
He told them to undertake some key activities of commem-
oration. They were to retell the story of the Passover and
how God delivered them out of slavery. They were to cele-
brate with a meal that included bitter herbs symbolic of their
slavery. There would be unleavened bread, which represents
the bread the children of Israel took with them when they
left Egypt in haste. And as they ate the Passover meal, they
would recline at the table as a sign of their freedom.
And perhaps the part of the celebration I love the most
is when the youngest child would recite, “Why is this night
different from all other nights?” With that recitation, the
elder statesman of the family would retell the story of
God’s deliverance.
This tradition celebrates stories and retelling of stories
generation after generation. It is the connection between
young and old. It remembers the parts of our story that cost
us something. It remembers the story of God’s deliverance
and victory in our lives. When we learn to celebrate like
that, we feel the richness and fullness of our heritage and the
power of our roots.
Think about it. The breakdown of our families might well
be reversed—certainly not in one simple stroke—but as we
begin to implement some of these biblical principles and
changes in our mindset. Value the aged. Seek their stories.
Allow for their teaching to enter our lives and the lives of
our children. And celebrate the pain and the joy together—
with much laughter. ■
Bill High practiced law for 12 years before becoming the CEO of The Signatry. As CEO, he
has spent over 18 years helping families live simply and give generously. He specializes
in coaching families, individual givers, and financial advisers regarding biblical generosity
and family legacy. He and his wife, Brooke, have four children and three grandchildren. He
can be found at billhigh.com.
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