Off and on over the last year, there has been one question on my mind: What does it mean to honor your elders? Or your parents?
Well aware this is a loaded question, as it needs to be looked at carefully from every side. The question continues to weave itself through my thoughts quite often.
I was raised in a small church where everyone knew each other. My parents taught us that we were to acknowledge those in church with a hug or a hand shake. We made conversation with those around us, both before and after church.
It was considered respecting or honoring our elders. So when this verse crossed my path one day last week, it grabbed my attention:
“Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged. Fear your God. I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:32, NLT)
The verse reminded me of the way our parents taught us to respect our elders, in church, our neighbors, and in stores.
As I myself grow older, I am more aware than ever before that our society, and churches, have an aging crisis on our hands.
Do we even fully understand what it is to honor or respect our elders? I am not sure we do.
As I watch the lives of those older than myself, I realize it is no easy feat to age and finish strong. Aging requires the need for more assistance, which means sacrifice on the part of those who offer assistance.
While food shopping the last few weeks, I have been asked to give assistance to several older shoppers. They ask questions, or need help in getting or finding an item.
In nursing homes, residents long for visits or simply conversation. A smile or human contact goes a long way to fuel hope and worth.
My commentary offers this insight on the above verse from Leviticus:
“Respect for the elderly is essential for maintaining a decent society, so failure to respect and care for the aged indicates that a given culture is about to collapse.”
(from The New American Commentary, Vol. 3A, page 263)
It then shares this verse:
“People will oppress each other – man against man, neighbor against neighbor. Young people will insult their elders, and vulgar people will sneer at the honorable.” (Isaiah 3:5, NLT)
Let’s look at the word “culture” as it gets thrown around quite a bit, and is a common catch phrase.
Culture can be defined as “the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization” (from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary).
Culture is not only what is seen in a society but also in our churches, our schools, and our very own families.
If we are going to take care of the elderly and honor the aged, we will need to break out of being so self-focused and selfish. We will need to learn what it is to sacrifice for the good of others. To think of others before we think of ourselves.
May we show respect and honor the aged.
It not only pleases God, it is critical to us all,
for one day – we each will be the aged.
“When you give honor, you actually reveal the honor within you.”
(author unknown)
In sharing my thoughts on the aging crisis, I was reminded of the post shared last week by Pam Ecrement. Her wisdom is always uplifting: “In my life there is One who knows the path, is the Expert. He can carry me from the beginning to the end and I can trust that.” You can read her full post, “What Bertha Taught Me” HERE.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Image by Sabine van Erp from Pixabay
