An old geezer, bored in retirement, decided to open a medical clinic.  He put a sign up outside that said, “Dr. Geezer’s clinic. Get your treatment for $500; if not cured, get back $1,000.”

Doctor Young, who was positive this old geezer didn’t know beans about medicine, thought this would be a great opportunity to get $1,000.  So, he went to Dr. Geezer’s clinic.

Dr. Young: “Dr. Geezer, I have lost all taste in my mouth. Can you please help me?”

Dr. Geezer: “Nurse, please bring medicine from box 22 and put 3 drops in Dr. Young’s mouth.”

Dr. Young: “Aaagh !!–This is Gasoline!”

Dr. Geezer: “Congratulations! You’ve got your taste back. That will be $500.”

An annoyed Dr. Young goes back after a couple of days, figuring to recover his money.

Dr. Young: “I have lost my memory; I cannot remember anything.”

Dr. Geezer: “Nurse, please bring medicine from box 22 and put 3 drops in the patient’s mouth.”

Dr. Young: “Oh, no you don’t, — that is Gasoline!”

Dr. Geezer: “Congratulations! You’ve got your memory back. That will be $500.”

Dr. Young (after having lost $1000) leaves angrily and comes back in a few days.

Dr. Young: “My eyesight has become weak — I can hardly see anything!!!!”

Dr. Geezer: “Well, I don’t have any medicine for that, so here’s your $1000 back” (giving him a $10 bill).

Dr. Young: “But this is only $10!”

Dr. Geezer: “Congratulations! You got your vision back! That will be $500.”

Moral of story — Just because you’re “Young” doesn’t mean that you can outsmart an “old Geezer.”

There are few nursing homes in Mexico.  That’s because families make tremendous sacrifices to honor the elderly, keeping them in their homes to care for them until they die.  Siblings and husband/wife teams work various shifts so that the aging parent is not left alone. Shopping centers and restaurants reveal the respect shown, as it is common to see children and grandchildren cradling the arms of their aged relatives, helping them out of the car and walking slowly to their destination.  When the elders speak, everyone listens.  Their wisdom is valued.

For 10 years, Jaime has worked as a bartender where we live in Mazatlán. His mother-in-law has lived with his family for 18 years.  Every morning, he makes breakfast for her; they sit together and catch up on what is going on in each other’s life.  Countless times, he has bowed out of morning invitations because of his “special time” with his wife’s mother.  Mexicans believe that God expects them to appreciate the elderly.  Scripture agrees:

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5, ESV) Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. (Prov. 16:31)   Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days. (Job 12:12)                                                      

  One story is played out in the book of Ruth when Naomi’s husband moved his family from Bethlehem to Moab where he died.  Ten years later, their married, adult sons also died. Naomi opted to move back to her native country. Ruth, Naomi’s widowed daughter-in-law, insisted on accompanying her in spite of Naomi’s protests.  In the end, the Moabite Ruth married the Bethlehemite Boaz, and, generations later, Jesus was born from that union.

I wish I would have done more for my mother before she died.  I certainly had opportunities to do so.  I pray you do better than I did…before it’s too late.