Much to Give
Today's Scripture
"[Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment]." Psalms 92:14 AMP
Thoughts for Today
Retirement can be an especially traumatic transition for your aging parents. Imagine using skills and abilities on a daily basis and then suddenly stopping. Everyone wants to feel that they are needed and that their contributions are valuable.
People do not want to be treated differently because they are old or infirm. They want to be treated for who they are, not for the illness they have or the abilities they have lost. All people, regardless of age, have a basic wish to feel useful.
Consider this…
Encourage your parents to fill their time with purposeful activities. Volunteer work, hobbies or other activities can give them a reason to wake up in the morning. They still have so much to give to others—years of experience, lessons learned, wisdom developed. Even if their health is failing, they can pray for people and send them encouraging notes and cards.
This is a new season for your parents. Encourage them that it can be a productive time—God has more for them to do!
Prayer
Father, help my parents understand that you still have much for them to do. That they can still bring forth fruit. Show me ways to encourage them. In Jesus' name …
These thoughts were drawn from…
Caregiving: Caring for Aging Parents by Charles Puchta. The purpose of this curriculum is to provide hope and direction to those concerned about the health and well-being of aging parents or an ill spouse or relative. We address predominate issues most families face. Each session is designed to discuss a specific area of concern such as the purpose of a caregiver or end-of-life planning. It will become clear to participants that the Bible provides encouragement and direction to help them through this caregiving journey. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a study for individuals or couples.
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