Hi Gina, I'm on another forum where the wife of a retired pastor comments from time to time.
I think she is Methodist and their congregation is quite large, so I imagine that she has quite a bit of experience counseling folks with problems and in visiting sessions with her husband. I think Methodist still take a chaperon along when visiting women who are alone.
She is a sensitive and sweet person as far as her messages are concerned, but she is really indoctrinated.
Of course I understand that that was the way she was reared and lived with her pastor husband, so it is understandable and I'm not going to try to change her. I continue my relationship because I need to learn how to relate to these folks who are not yet ready for deeper understanding. She worries about me on a regular basis. (smile)
Counseling is what we may be doing in the Kingdom. Of course I realize that God can give us the ability that we need to help people after we are changed, but I think it is good to try to relate during our training and testing and learning to examine ourselves to find our own faults and face them.
I'm truly not sensitive about my age. My wife complains when I tell people that I'm about 80 when I'm not yet.
I think advanced age is an honor and demonstrates a certain amount of courage in those who have problems that cause them pain every day that they live. NOT me! I have had a few problems, but God has favored me with short term problems and a family that supports me in them. My kids and my wife still listen when I begin to speak....as long as I keep it short and to the point. Ain't love grand!
Just sharing a few thoughts. Indiana Bob