For those of us who believe in the sanctity of life, the Roe v. Wade decision of January 22, 1973 was a dark day in America. One court decision sealed the fate of millions of unborn children. Pregnant women who did not desire to be mothers could “take charge and be in control of their own bodies” and no longer have to remain pregnant.

By nature, God has made women to be nurturing human beings. For short periods of time, some women say they have been able to turn off these nurturing qualities. In my lifetime, regardless of their age, I have seen very few adult females who have not melted at the sight of a precious newborn child or smiled at the sight of a toddler, etc. It is part of being a woman. Part of God’s plan and design for females.

Whether we are male or female, scripture tells us in Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” We are all designer children —designed by God for a special purpose.

Although the Roe v. Wade decision happened in the USA thirty five years ago, I find it interesting that today childless women in Britain and elsewhere (via the internet) are designing and purchasing life size realistic baby dolls. For several hundred dollars, you can have a “child.” With the advancement of plastics, you can purchase “a fake baby” perfect in size, weight and proportions to a full term child. These are lovingly referred to as a “re-born.” When you no longer have those maternal feelings, you can place your child on the shelf as a collectible. Ironically, some of these childless women are so because of complications due to a botched abortion or repeated abortions which left them unable to conceive.

Any thoughts?

Who really wants to take care of old people anyway?

I’ve spent the past day, or so, taking care of my grandparents. (My grandpa is 88 and grandma is 85.) They have a lot of needs, most of which involve driving, keeping them vertical (when appropriate) or horizontal (again, when appropriate), walking slowly, listening to the same story several times, answering the same question several times, and taking them to an endless number of medical appointments. I’d venture a guess that anyone who has shared this experience would consider my 48 hours pretty mild by comparison. No wound care, no bathing (actually, no assistance in the bathroom whatsoever). Basically, I just needed to be here.

What is our responsibility to our aging parents and grandparents? Much ink has been spilled over the impending retirement of the baby boomers. If they are just retiring, that means that their parents are also just beginning to enter nursing homes, hospitals, and funeral homes. What about them?

The boomers have a big responsibility on their hands. How they treat their parents will set the precedent of how they will be treated by the next generation.

Every student of Luther’s Small Catechism learns that “honor your father and your mother” means that we should “fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents or other authorities, but honor them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them.”

When we were young, we honored them by receiving their care for us. As they age, we honor them by caring for their needs.

When we were young, our parents sacrificed many of their comforts and priorities because of their love for us. As they age, we honor them by making sacrifices for them.

When we were young they made difficult decisions and cared for us in ways that we thought were unfair or even cruel. As they age, we honor them by making difficult decisions and caring for them even when they feel we are being unfair or cruel.

The bottom line is, when they are a danger on the road, take the keys away; when it is too dangerous for them to live alone, they need to move; when you become more their nurse or maid than son or daughter, it is time to make arrangements for professionals to care for their special needs so that when you visit them you can be their son or daughter, grandson or granddaughter, and treasure your fleeting time with them.

Most importantly, make sure that they are receiving proper spiritual care.

• Take them to church, even if they don’t want to go. (Sound familiar?)
• If they cannot come to church, ask their pastor to bring the church to them, and then ask them about their pastor’s visits.
• If they have trouble remembering who has seen them, have a journal in the room for guests to sign.
• Call their pastor and keep him informed of their situation and condition.
• Do everything you can to make sure that the pastor has the resources he needs to visit the sick and shut-in regularly. (This may mean making motions at meetings, writing resolutions, or even calling a Visitation Pastor to serve them.)
• Give them the tools to feed their faith and stay connected to their congregation (recordings of church services; large print bibles, hymnals, and devotional books; and bulletins and newsletters).

It is indeed a blessing when the Lord sees fit to grant our loved ones strength to extend their days beyond 70 years or 80 (Psalm 90). He has been their strength, and their lives of faith inspire us to follow in their footsteps, receiving the gifts of God regularly and to relying upon him alone.

What are your suggestions for how best to honor or father and mother as they age?

Lord God of the ages, you have blessed many of your people with length of days upon the earth. Grant that we should see day as given by you so that we might again hear your Word and receive your gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation. Give strength and patience to those who care for the aged, and finally, let your servants depart in peace at the fulfilling of your Word. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.