Day Two Hundred Thirty-Three “Elder Love”
How do you frighten this new generation? Put them in a room with a rotary phone, an analog watch, and a television with no remote (add rabbit ears for fun). Then leave the directions for use in cursive. I giggled out loud when I read this humorous note pinned up in my doctor’s office. Obviously, someone else shares my longing for the good ole days, a time when I understood the world around me a bit more clearly, when I didn’t feel quite so out-of-date and archaic. Modern technology can at times overwhelm those of us who are more advanced in years. I don’t mind that so much, my mother was often confused by what was considered new for her generation. What I can’t handle is when I see a young person displaying overt disdain toward someone who should garnish their deepest respect, that grey-haired, slightly bent, sometimes confused, elderly person.
I was stopped in my tracks as read this rather blunt Scripture verse: “The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.” Whoa, that’s intense; not much wiggle room there, sounds like someone is about to lose an eye! That elderly parent can be slow, annoying, out-of-touch, and even cranky at times, but God requires respect for those who are our senior. While unveiling His Levitical Law to the children of Israel, God shared this stern admonition, “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.” Honor his face, that wrinkled, sometimes confused, yet longing-for-love face. If God encouraged His children to rise in the presence of that grey-haired man, how would He measure our treatment of those who should have earned our respect by reason of years, especially those parents with whom you have been blessed?
There is no expiration date on respect for the ones who have raised, loved, and nurtured you. Honoring them is “the first commandment with promise. That it may be well with thee.” Want a blessed life? Honor those seniors God has placed in your life, be patient with their slowness in the face of their ever-changing world, take a moment to love on them, don’t let your annoyance hurt their tender hearts, and mirror the affection that your Heavenly Father graciously bestows on you upon them. Instill that love and respect for those adorned with a “hoary head” into your children as well. In a moment of time they will be gone from your life and you will long for that wrinkled hand upon your shoulder once again.
Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Lord, give us a generation of young people who truly respect those around them who are advanced in year. Infuse them with Your love so that they can take that blessed love and share it with those those who may be in need of that love and attention.
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