8 Feb, 2008
114 years old!
The Oldest Person In The World?
Edna Parker was born on the same day as silent movie star Harold Lloyd. She had became the oldest living American in February 2007 after the death of Corinne Dixon Taylor who lived in Washington D.C.
Born in Morgan County, Indiana, Parker got a teaching certificate at Franklin College in 1911. She married her husband, Earl Parker, in 1913. She has outlived her husband (who died in 1938) and her two sons, and she has 5 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and numerous great-great-grandchildren.
Currently, she lives in a retirement community in Shelbyville, Indiana, and still has a good health and can walk. In the same retirement center lives Sandy Allen, the tallest woman in the world.
Still, Japan detains the world record of average longevity, with about 28,000 persons aged over 100. This is put on the healthy alimentation and quality medical care. Japan possesses one of the longest average life spans, 85.3 years for women and 78.3 for men.
The world's absolute longevity record is detained by the French woman Jeanne Calment, which died in 1997, aged 122.
photo & story courtesy news.softpedia.com, 2/7/08
Leviticus 19:32 (NLT)
32 “Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged. Fear your God. I am the Lord.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about how we should treat the elderly?
God gave the Israelites a direct command to show respect for the elderly, because this brings honor to them and to God. This instruction is timeless, meaning we must also apply it today.
A lot of jokes are made about the elderly in our culture. It's often easy to ignore them and not spend time with them. When their memory fades, their hearing goes, their eyes fail, and their ideas are different than ours - we often disregard their opinios and God's command to give them honor.
Every old person is precious in God's sight. If we spend time with them, we will learn from their life experience and wisdom. And it will make their day!
Think of the stories Edna Parker could tell. Wouldn't you love to hear her story and how it connects to God's story and the stories of others?
How can you connect today's God's Story scripture to your life?
- First of all, be very honest. How about you and your friends? Do you show respect for the elderly like God's Word teaches?
- Talk to God through prayer right now. Thank Him for His instruction for us to care for and respect the elderly. Pray for one elderly person (other than a relative) you know. Ask God to show you how to encourage this person. Now thank God for your grandparents and remember to pray for them every day.
How can you connect today's story, God's Story scripture and your story to others?
- This weekend and once a month, help out an elderly person in your neighborhood.
- Write a letter of appreciation and love to your grandparents, even if they live nearby or you see them quite often. They love letters and email. If you don't have living grandparents, do this for another older couple or single.
- In your small group or youth group, develop a plan to reach out and honor the elderly in your community. It might involve visits to a nursing home or the homes of some older folks in your church or community.
- Use today's story about 114-year-old Edna Parker to start a conversation with someone you know who needs Jesus. You could ask, "If you lived to be 114-years-old, what would you hope to know about God by that age?"
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