4 Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
    for they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth
    and my rebellious ways;
  according to your love remember me,
    for you, Lord, are good.
Psalm 25:4-7

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The aroma of fresh cut flowers in the retirement home’s foyer welcomed the college students. The scent shepherded us into the common area. Looking for a resident to visit, I felt drawn to the sunroom (Psalm 25:4: Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths).

An elderly man sat in a white wicker chair. His hands were large, with thick veins running through them. His face was weather-beaten. He wore clean blue denim coveralls—a retired farmer. He was friendly enough but with few words. He was more interested in learning about me and my life dreams (Psalm 25:5  Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long).

We chatted. He had sold his farm and retired in his seventies. Now in his nineties, he listened to my plans and goals as if figuring out the proper way of farrowing a field for planting. Silent for a while, growing restless, he leaned forward and studied my face. (Psalm 25:6 Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old). He searched me, sensing my readiness to accept his wisdom, he spoke.

“We view things in different ways as we go through life. When young, we live in our dreams of the future; when mature adults, we live in the necessities of the present, but when in old age, we live looking back, remembering happy times and reliving regrets.” His age empowered his words. He spoke with the wisdom of a living proverb. (Psalm 25:7a: Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways).

The retired farmer had unearthed for me the most important message I heard during college. His wisdom has guided me fifty-plus years. I remember him and am grateful for the seeds he planted in me. (Psalm 25:7b: according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.)

Next Steps

Meditate on Psalm 25:4–7. Look for how it might relate to everyday moments in your life. Does realizing the connection draw you closer to God’s presence?