In the midst of the coronavirus crisis there was a miracle that we all saw but hardly recognised, because it was eclipsed by the larger story. All over the world, for more than two weeks, people in every nation practised Leviticus 19:32, when they rose up, figuratively, before the grey-haired and honoured the aged.
Granted, in this instance it was for an individual, Captain Tom Moore, the 99-year-old who announced on social media that he intended to raise £1,000 for an NHS charity by walking 100 lengths of his 25m garden before his hundredth birthday on April 30.
He wanted to thank the NHS for the treatment he had received and, being a military man, likened NHS staff working with Covid-19 patients to being in a battle.
With the aid of a walking frame, Captain Tom Moore completed the 100 laps in his garden well before his birthday, with the first Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment forming a guard of honour for the final laps. The total raised has surpassed his initial goal many times over, reaching more than £27 million after donations and accolades poured in from all over the world.
Sitting alongside him in the launch picture on social media was his daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, who described herself as his 'side-kick'. She told the BBC, "We are all speechless. It's not even two weeks since this started. We are just working our socks off supporting him and this phenomenon."
Hopefully, his achievement and the affection in which he is held will help to change the ageist attitudes that many still hold towards older people. Think back to earlier on in the crisis when former government scientific adviser Prof Sir David King suggested to The Telegraph that the over-90s should not go to hospital during the crisis because they would only be clogging it up, ignoring the fact that many older people have been surviving, much to their medics' delight.
The focus of the media has been, understandably, on Captain Tom Moore, an engaging, warm-hearted man. But his story is an example of what older people can do when encouraged and supported. He has lived with Hannah and her husband and children since 2008, and his family have been alongside him throughout.
For older people themselves, it shows that there are possibilities they haven't yet thought of that may be waiting for them, as Ephesians 2:10 implies. They may not make international headlines, but every 'good work' from the biggest to the tiniest, is noted by God (Luke 21:1-4).
One of the most exciting developments in the Church recently has been generations coming together in special interest groups that are often initiated by older members. Hopefully, Captain Tom's story will inspire more older people to initiate such groups, and encourage church leaders to support them in this.
Louise Morse is a cognitive behavioural therapist with a masters' degree researching the effect of dementia caregiving on family members and older people. She is media and external relations manager for the Pilgrims' Friend Society, a charity founded in 1807 to care for and advance the Christian faith among older people.
