Lessons from My 98-year-old Dad: Finish Strong

by Marilynn Chadwick

“Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

Exodus 20:12 NIV

Dad encourages me to finish my own race strong. Live a life of sacrifice and honor. Give yourself for the larger good. Put others before yourself. Don’t give up. Family is worth it. Hold onto your faith. No matter what comes your way, persevere. And always do the right thing. These are some of the messages Dad continues to teach me, even at 98.

Dad has always believed in dreaming big. He encouraged our dreams. Through the years, nothing brought him more joy than to watch his children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren shine.

But the last chapter of his life with Mom was hard. Doing the right thing, day after day, required endurance, faith, and sometimes a good sense of humor. I watched their courageous battle, and I agree with whoever said, “Old age is not for sissies.” I watched my mom’s quiet and uncomplaining spirit even when she was in pain. And I saw Daddy’s cheerful attitude as he persevered day after day. “How did you do it, Dad?” I asked him. “He just shrugged his shoulders and said matter of factly, “Your mom was worth it.” Their life together captures the meaning of the word honor: “To treat someone as though they have great worth.”

Honor by its very nature is strong, solid, and above all, enduring. Toward the end of Mom’s life, she and Dad had an especially difficult morning which had stretched Daddy to practically the end of his strength. Later that day, Daddy quietly beamed as he told me about how Mom had looked at him intently and then spoke these words with perfect clarity: “You are so patient. I am so proud of you.”

Just a few simple words from his wife who didn’t talk so much anymore. And yet Daddy wore those words like they were a medal of honor. And if you think about it, I guess that’s truly what they were.

Dad is truly a man of honor. Honor is a concept so simple even a child can grasp it. “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12). God set the bar low so that even the youngest and weakest among us can practice honor. But God has also set the bar high. People defend freedom, fight, and die for honor. Believers around the world honor Jesus by suffering for their faith.

That same honor inspires husbands and wives to love each other for a lifetime. It safeguards our families. In good times and in hard ones. Honor guards our marriages and sets them on solid ground. No wonder it’s so important in our homes.

God has set before us the most noble and enduring way to live together. My dad stands as a testimony that if we treat others with honor—especially those in our own family—we too can finish strong. Looking back over my life, I can see how Mom and Dad’s values quietly shaped my own.

Dad and I believe it’s important to write down these stories for future generations. Plus, it has been rewarding to spend time together recalling the values which influenced our home. I hope you’ll take time to think about your own life. What values do you hold dear? What stories of God’s protection, provision, and providence, do you want others to remember?

Today’s Moment of Hope is adapted from Eight Great Ways to Honor Your Husband by Marilynn Chadwick. Click here to download your free copy.