Depending On God’s Grace To Care For Aging Parents
Remember the energy it took to raise your children? How often did you find yourself on your knees, asking God for strength to make it through another day?
Some of you are in this season right now. Whether as stay-at-home or working parents, raising children is a full-time job. A job that requires endless patience – and grace.
Fast-forward 30 years. Once again, you may find yourself on your knees, this time praying for patience and grace to care for your aging parents. Parents who loved you through all the stages of your life now need your loving care in their final years.
You pray to care for your mom and dad in a way that honors them. Just as God’s grace helped you through the long days and sleepless nights of parenting, this same grace is available to help you care for your parents as they face new and increasingly challenging circumstances.
I respect the cycle of life: Just as we, as young parents, lovingly provided for and cared for our children, so our parents did for us. Now we’re honored to repay our parents’ sacrificial service.
I understand that it’s not always easy to “honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12 ESV) as their needs change. Sometimes you must agonizingly choose to place mom and dad in assisted living. If so, God’s grace can guide you to remain diligent and present for them.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and “sandwiched” between caring for teenagers and aging parents or in-laws, don’t give up. Take advantage of the resources available. Eldercare, a public service of the Administration for Community Living, is available at eldercare.acl.gov and will connect you to services for older adults. You can also reach them at 1-800-677-1116.
Take heart. God loves you! He knows how exhausted you are – how much you love your parents and how you want to give back to them for all the long days and sleepless nights they’ve spent with you over the years.
Be assured, God will supply the patience, grace, energy and strength you need to make it through the day. And the next day. And the day after that. He will empower you to care for your aging parents with the love and dignity they deserve.
What about you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this post. (Your comment might also benefit others.)
- How can we pray for you?
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Thank you for this!! My family and I just said goodbye to my Mom, Pat. She was 96. When it looked like assisted living was nolonger a good option for her we went ahead and moved he in with us two years ago. It has been a huge blessing in our lives and in the lives of our children and grandchildren. They’ve seen the value of every person even in infirmity! They’ve gotten to know my siblings better as they have come to visit Mom. They have learned to love even when it is hard. Thank you for addressing this in your newsletter!
God BLESS you and your family, Patty, for your loving, faithful example, Patty!
I came back to say that it is so nice to hear from you again, Patty. Thank you for stopping by.
Addendum: And God’s grace has certainly come through! It is there for the asking!! And we did ask unceasingly!! And we also asked others to pray for us and for her ☺️ the community of believers were then able to be a part of her care!
WELL done, Patty. Well done to all of it: your decision to move your mom into your home, caring for her with respect and dignity–and so much love(!), AND being wise enough to ask for prayers! Again, I say, “Well done!”
I know many of you can relate to this post in different ways. How can we pray for you today?
God supplies everything we need in this life as we depend on Him in our journey! He is faithful to give us His grace, love, and compassion for others in all life’s circumstances! “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. / “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), / “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”” Ephesians 6:1-3. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” We have God’s Spirit to give us all the fruits we need in caring for others, especially our children and aging parents! Incidentally, that’s my sister, Patty Bartnick, who took mom in her home for the last two years of her life. She was truly a blessing to our family in caring for Mom with her husband, Mike and her extended family, who we came to know even better through the last part of mom’s life. Many prayers! Thanks Sheryl! ️
Amen! Thank You, Lord! Great comment, Kim. Thank you for reading my devotion and posting your insights and beautiful verses.