Secret to Violet's Longevity

But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. — 1 Samuel 12:24

Born on March 10, 1900, Violet Mosse-Brown from Jamaica is the oldest woman in the world. She became the oldest person in the world after Emma Morano passed away on April 15, 2017. It’s interesting how differently the media covered this occasion. A popular network reported, “How to be the oldest person in the World? Don’t drink rum.” The network quoted Mosse-Brown saying, “Really and truly, when people ask what me eat and drink to live so long, I say to them that I eat everything, except pork and chicken, and I don't drink rum and them things.” A Christian news network reported the same occasion this way: “117 Years! World's Oldest Woman Says Serving God Is the Secret.” In this report, Mosse-Brown is quoted, “Thank God for what he has given to me. This what God has given me, so I have to take it, long life. I’ve done nearly everything at the church. I spent all my time in the church.” The two networks covering the same news on how to live a long life reports two totally different quotes. Now, which report is accurate? They both are! Mosse-Brown did make the two statements. What is the point to this pastor’s corner? We need to discern what we read or hear in the news. Both reports were accurate, but the intentions and motivations of the reports are completely different. I’ll leave what is the takeaway from Mossed-Brown’s life to you — refrain from drinking rum versus serving God — but I know which advice I will be heeding.