Book Review: Living with Purpose in a Worn-out Body: Spiritual Encouragement for Older Adults

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When I saw Mocha With Linda mention Living with Purpose in a Worn-out Body: Spiritual Encouragement for Older Adults by Missy Buchanan, I knew I had to get it for my mother-in-law and myself. Missy was a daily caregiver to her mother, who lived to be 92, and now Missy spends much time visiting with other residents in the senior residence center where her mother spent her last days. Her experiences make the  devotionals she began writing for senior adults ring with authenticity.

This book covers several areas: pain, loneliness, feeling forgotten, the treasure of friends, sleep, purpose, clutter, medicine, bingo, laughter, sensible shoes — many aspects of an older person’s life. The devotionals address these issues in a genuine way. Some are poignant, some are fun, but all bring the reader back to focus on God in every issue. Here is a sample:

Sometimes I wonder why you have left me on this earth.
Ia have outlived so many family and friends. Why do I linger?
What purpose could you have for me now?
Look at my hands. Once strong and sure, they are unsteady and frail.
My mind, once quick and incisive, now falters under the weight of names and faces.
What real purpose do I serve knitting away the hours, surfing the channels, dozing through the afternoon?
Then Your Spirit stirs my heart and convicts my soul.
You are not a wasteful God!
The length of my earthly days is a mystery to me, but one thing I know for sure. You have created me with an eternal purpose.
How can I be more like Christ today?
Whose life can I touch with kindness?
Lord, give me an extra measure of grace when I feel that I’m too old to be useful.
Help me as I take my limitations in stride as I search for opportunities to serve you.
My purpose has not withered away with another birthday.
It is rooted in eternity.

Psalm 33:11:
But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.

The text in the book is large print, yet the book as a whole is slim.

I would highly, highly recommend this to any “senior saint” you know as well as family members and caregivers.

(This review will also be linked to Semicolon‘s Saturday Review of Books.)

5 thoughts on “Book Review: Living with Purpose in a Worn-out Body: Spiritual Encouragement for Older Adults”

  1. Am I too young to say I already have thoughts like those at times? There are already things I can’t do that make me sadly aware of my age and body limitations. For example, my husband is chaperoning our teens on a weekend retreat right now, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to stay up til 2:30 every morning and then try to sleep a few hours, and function with pain the next day.

    So this book sounds like a great one not just for my older friends, but for me, too. 🙂

    Thanks for the great review, Barbara.

  3. um…might be something to look into. Our dad, is 88 and lost mom last year right before their 61st wedding anniversary. He is a bit lost living with his daughter now.
    This might be a good book.

  4. Sounds like such a good book, Barbara….one that might indeed be a help to me and to some dear older ladies that I know. Thanks so much for the recommendation!!!

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