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.

Sheryl H. Boldt is a sales executive for Wave 94 and author of the blog, TodayCanBeDifferent.net. Connect with her at SherylHBoldt.Wave94@gmail.com.