- Dec 20, 2019
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Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
When I was about 30 years old, a very wise, older friend of mine gave me one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever heard. She told me that as I went through life, I should seek out friends who were younger, the same age, and older than myself.
“Younger people,” she said, “will remind you that there are newer and better ways of doing things.” She went on to explain that they would also challenge me to be more spontaneous and shed fears that I might have developed from knowing a little too much. “Those who are your contemporaries,” she surmised, “will be able to relate to you. They will offer practical help to help you manage the ups and downs of life.”
Then she paused, as if to make the last point really important. She told me that those who were older would be able to provide wise counsel from a much broader, more realistic, and usually hopeful perspective. Of the many experiences I have treasured in my life, having older mentors to advise, guide, and encourage me has been something I am truly grateful for. Because of this, I want to make sure that my children and grandchildren fully understand the importance of respecting the elderly.
Now, as my grey hairs and wrinkles become more prominent, those who mentor me are among the elderly. I value some of them as my leaders and others as people I’m called to care for. I think it’s important for all of us, including our children and grandchildren, to embrace and respect the elderly. When I received that piece of advice many years ago, I didn’t know that it was not only a good idea but something that I was called to do by God.
Scriptures tell us in Leviticus 19:32: “You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.”
We become wiser as we age, in most cases, because of the many things — good and bad — we experience in life. And we learn much that we need to pass on to younger generations. In Titus 2:4, older women are instructed to teach younger women what they know.
Sadly, respect for the elderly is sometimes in short supply or even forgotten in today’s youth-oriented culture. Because they may be slowing down and having more difficulty moving around, there is an assumption that what elderly people have to offer is also in short supply. On the contrary, they have the most to contribute because of the number of years spent on this Earth. Also, as we turn our focus to the absolute sanctity of the life of a preborn baby, we sometimes forget that every human being is a precious and valued gift from God, regardless of age. So we need to embrace the elderly, to learn from them, and to care for them as needed, in order to show them the respect they deserve.
If you have elderly family members or neighbors, I encourage you and your children (and grandchildren if you have them) to reach out to them. Let’s start by helping children see the many ways we can all learn from those who are still living with a sound mind and body.
On the other hand, if there is an elderly family member or friend in your life who is weak in mind or body, take the time as a family to show the love of Christ to him or her by doing the following:
Communication is a powerful way people can connect. And there are many ways to make those connections in a variety of circumstances.
Let’s all remember that the elderly are to be revered by those younger than themselves and to be appreciated for having lived a long life. As expressed in Proverbs 16:31, “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.”
Therefore, embrace and respect your elderly family members and friends, and help your children do the same, as we all struggle through the many changes and challenges of life together. From health crisis to financial complications, world events to questions about relationships, the elderly have experience to share.
Additionally, the elderly benefit from having the perspective of youth. Younger generations bring keen insights, humor, and resources that broaden the world of the older generation. Rather than allow age to divide relationships, let your relationships bridge generations.
Look to them for comfort and seek to serve them. Both of these actions will benefit you and the elders in your life and more importantly, will glorify the Lord.
The post Teaching Children Respect for the Elderly appeared first on Focus on the Family.
Continue reading...
When I was about 30 years old, a very wise, older friend of mine gave me one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever heard. She told me that as I went through life, I should seek out friends who were younger, the same age, and older than myself.
Wise advice
“Younger people,” she said, “will remind you that there are newer and better ways of doing things.” She went on to explain that they would also challenge me to be more spontaneous and shed fears that I might have developed from knowing a little too much. “Those who are your contemporaries,” she surmised, “will be able to relate to you. They will offer practical help to help you manage the ups and downs of life.”
Then she paused, as if to make the last point really important. She told me that those who were older would be able to provide wise counsel from a much broader, more realistic, and usually hopeful perspective. Of the many experiences I have treasured in my life, having older mentors to advise, guide, and encourage me has been something I am truly grateful for. Because of this, I want to make sure that my children and grandchildren fully understand the importance of respecting the elderly.
Passing wisdom to younger generations
Now, as my grey hairs and wrinkles become more prominent, those who mentor me are among the elderly. I value some of them as my leaders and others as people I’m called to care for. I think it’s important for all of us, including our children and grandchildren, to embrace and respect the elderly. When I received that piece of advice many years ago, I didn’t know that it was not only a good idea but something that I was called to do by God.
Scriptures tell us in Leviticus 19:32: “You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.”
We become wiser as we age, in most cases, because of the many things — good and bad — we experience in life. And we learn much that we need to pass on to younger generations. In Titus 2:4, older women are instructed to teach younger women what they know.
Sadly, respect for the elderly is sometimes in short supply or even forgotten in today’s youth-oriented culture. Because they may be slowing down and having more difficulty moving around, there is an assumption that what elderly people have to offer is also in short supply. On the contrary, they have the most to contribute because of the number of years spent on this Earth. Also, as we turn our focus to the absolute sanctity of the life of a preborn baby, we sometimes forget that every human being is a precious and valued gift from God, regardless of age. So we need to embrace the elderly, to learn from them, and to care for them as needed, in order to show them the respect they deserve.
Ways to show love to our elders
If you have elderly family members or neighbors, I encourage you and your children (and grandchildren if you have them) to reach out to them. Let’s start by helping children see the many ways we can all learn from those who are still living with a sound mind and body.
Show love to elders weak in mind or body
On the other hand, if there is an elderly family member or friend in your life who is weak in mind or body, take the time as a family to show the love of Christ to him or her by doing the following:
- First, ask him or her how you can help. What do they currently need? Next, choose one or two ways that you can meet a need. Then, get your children actively involved in serving the older person.
- Spend time connecting personally with an elderly family member or friend. Have a conversation, read a book together, play some music, play a game, or cook for him or her. Whatever you do, be in the presence of the older person to communicate love and respect and do it on a regular basis. If you aren’t able to be near due to distance, try communicating via a letter, email, online, or phone call. Older people love to have contact with children because it reminds them of their younger years.
- Human touch is powerful and can sometimes communicate more than the spoken word. So if you and your children are able to hold a hand, do so. However, if there is too much risk involved due to the illness or fragile health, drop off a stuffed animal, blanket, or another soft item for the elderly person to hold and caress.
- Make sure the older person is eating and staying hydrated. If they are not, have your children help prepare some food and go with you to drop off a meal that he or she can easily eat without needing to do much preparation.
- Elderly people love homemade crafts and gifts from children of all ages. Don’t hesitate to drop off drawings, stories, or other creations made from the heart.
Worth a thousand words
Communication is a powerful way people can connect. And there are many ways to make those connections in a variety of circumstances.
- Offer technical help. Often what is second-nature to adults and kids regarding setting up and using online communication and mobile phones is unfamiliar and confusing to those who haven’t spent much time with the continually evolving devices.
- Help you and your children get to know the elderly. Ask about what life was like when they were younger. Learn about what life was like when they were young. Listen as they reminisce about styles, trends, and people from earlier years. When my elderly aunt on the West Coast struggled to eat, by asking her about her childhood, I learned her favorite breakfast had been cornmeal mush. When the old recipe was prepared, she was able to eat the Midwest staple again.
- Interest in reading and reading scores go up when kids read aloud to grandparents or elderly neighbors. The retired generation often have time and are pleased to be read to.
- Recently, my grown children gave me a an already set-up digital photo frame. All I had to do was plug it in. Now the adult kids and grandkids email photos to me from where ever they are. Including the photo of a three-year-old grandson wearing a t-shirt with letters on the front that spelled Big Brother. I quickly sent a photo to my own mother who lives across the nation but stays in touch via the digital communication set up for her by the younger generation.
Embrace the elderly
Let’s all remember that the elderly are to be revered by those younger than themselves and to be appreciated for having lived a long life. As expressed in Proverbs 16:31, “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.”
Therefore, embrace and respect your elderly family members and friends, and help your children do the same, as we all struggle through the many changes and challenges of life together. From health crisis to financial complications, world events to questions about relationships, the elderly have experience to share.
Additionally, the elderly benefit from having the perspective of youth. Younger generations bring keen insights, humor, and resources that broaden the world of the older generation. Rather than allow age to divide relationships, let your relationships bridge generations.
Look to them for comfort and seek to serve them. Both of these actions will benefit you and the elders in your life and more importantly, will glorify the Lord.
The post Teaching Children Respect for the Elderly appeared first on Focus on the Family.
Continue reading...