ACCEPTANCE (With Dignity and Respect)

I Was Just Thinking About – ACCEPTANCE.

Loneliness and marginalization inflict too many within both the culture and Church. This is sadly true with those who are categorized as being either septuagenarians (70-79), octogenarians (80-89) or nonagenarians (90-100). Many of the people in these age classifications are relegated to spending their remaining years in a Nursing Home or Elderly Care Centers. In some instances, it becomes a warehouse of the elderly. Thankfully, many of the Care Facilities have various group activities and programs that endeavor to prevent the loneliness and marginalization from occurring.

Families need to be careful to avoid the neglect of their aging parents and relatives. Everyone is busy and loaded with reasons why there isn’t enough time to shower the elderly with affection and attention that they deserve and need. For the Biblical Christian, there must be a renewed understanding and application of a passage such as Leviticus 19:32, “You shall stand up before the gray (hoary) head and honor the face of an old man (and woman), and you shall fear your God: I am the LORD.” Also, the word of the Lord in the Ten Commandments is absolute, (Exodus 20:12) – “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” It means the proper respect and care. It includes being helpful and concerned. There is an added blessing for the child/children who do this: “that your days may be long…” This is reiterated in Ephesians 6:2-3, “Honor (Respect) your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

Aging is a factor that must be understood. Studies have stated: “By the age of 85 almost 35-percent in this age group will be afflicted with this degenerative disorder that causes gradually and worsening memory loss and mental skills. Some of the common symptoms of Dementia are: First, Memory Loss. It is an inability to recall short term memory (or recent events). A Rutgers University study estimates that roughly 50-percent of all Americans over 85-years of age suffer with Alzheimer’s Disease and that more than half of all dementia cases are misdiagnosed. Second, Behavioral Changes. Personality changes that may include the opposite manners or personality traits or just being inappropriate in public can signify the onset of dementia. Third, Cognitive Decline. This could be as simple as an inability to reason or a more drastic decline in cognitive functions: thinking, learning, reading, retaining information, problem solving, language and speech.”

A Scriptural pattern that must be emulated is indicated in Ephesians 1:6, “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he has made us accepted in the beloved.” An application is Romans 15:7, “Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring glory to God.” Be sensitive to those with whom you have (or should have) contact. Always remember to accept one another – when foibles and changes occur – just as Jesus accepted you – with compassion and care.

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.

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