STRENGTH BEYOND WHAT IS NORMAL

Through the Word, the Bible, Jehovah lovingly provides guidance that can greatly aid a person in caring for aging parents, but that is not the only help he provides.  "Jehovah is near to all those calling upon him," wrote the psalmist under inspiration.  "Their cry for help he will hear, and he will save them." Jehovah will save,or preserve, his faithful ones through even the most difficult situations. -Psalm 145:18, 19. 

Myrna, in the Philippines, learned this when caring for his mother, who was made helpless by a stroke. "There is nothing more depressing than to see your loved one suffer, unable to tell you where it hurts," writes Myrna.  "It was just like seeing her drown little by little, and there was nothing I could do.  Many times I would bend my knees and talk to Jehovah about how tired I was.  I cried out like David, who beseeched Jehovah to place his tears in a bottle and remember him.  [Psalm 56:8]  And as Jehovah promised, he gave me the strength I needed.  'Jehovah came to be as a support for me.' " -Psalm 18:18. 

It has been said that caring for aged parents is a "story without a happy ending."  Despite even the best efforts  at caregiving old ones may die, as did Myrna's mother.  But those who trust in Jehovah know that death is not the end of the story.  The apostle Paul said: "I have hope toward God . . .that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." (Acts 24:15) Those who have lost elderly parents in death take the comfort  in the resurrection hope along with the promise of a delightful new world of God's making in which "death will be no more." -Revelation 21:4.

Servants of God have deep regard for their parents, even though these may have grown old.  (Proverbs 23:22-24) They honor them.  In doing so, they experience what the inspired proverb says:  "Your father and your mother will rejoice, and she that gave birth to you will be joyful."  (Proverbs 23:25)  And most of all, those who honor their elderly parents also please and honor Jehovah God. 

Next time: SECURE A LASTING FUTURE FOR YOUR FAMILY, CHAPTER SIXTEEN 

From the book: THE SECRET OF FAMILY HAPPINESS, 1996