Up here in Oregon and last night had a session with high school students and then shifted to the “adult” body of the church for a Jesus Creed talk — and I spoke about what it is and how it fits into the six theories of the Christian life.

Meeting God’s good people around this country has been a highlight of my life.

Time and time again I am deeply impressed by the piety, kindness, and spiritual sensitivity of the elderly — the sort of who were reared in one spot, went off to college and came back, or didn’t go off to college and are still in the same spot. So many of this type. They are the “hits” of the local church because they are the ones who have prayed for it, given their funds for the ministry, who have taught Sunday School classes — my father has taught SS classes for nearly 50 years! — and who have just lived faithfully in the presence of God for 70 or 80 years.

There is a spiritual sweetness, mellowness, and confidence about these elderly brothers and sisters (more the latter than the former) that makes my heart glad to be one who is walking on the roads they have already walked so well.

I met one such saint last night, and Kris sat next to her: Mary Ferry. Sweetness lit up her eyes and she was glad to be with other Christians. Served as a public school teacher for a long, long time. The sort you’d like your children to have.

Pray, my friends, for the grace to know such people. Seek them out, sit with them over coffee, and make sure your kids get to know them.

Not that the high school kids were any less of a hit with me; I loved them.

If some are interested in this, I’ll tell you a story of my favorite “elderly saint” if you tell me yours.