May 6
Respecting
the Wisdom of Age
“Stand up in order to show your respect for old people. Also have respect for me. I am the Lord your God.”
Leviticus 19:32, NIrV
Martin had always looked up to his father, Joseph. A man of quiet wisdom and deep faith, Joseph had been a steadfast presence in Martin’s life. But when Joseph’s wife—Martin’s mother—passed away suddenly, everything changed.
“I’ll come stay with you for a while,” Joseph had said one evening. Though Martin agreed, he hadn’t anticipated how much it would disrupt his life.
Joseph moved in a week later, and at first, things went smoothly. But soon, the small inconveniences began to pile up. Joseph, used to his own routine, would wake up early, clattering around in the kitchen. He offered well-meaning but unsolicited advice on everything from how Martin should fix a leaking faucet to how his wife, Clara, prepared dinner.
Clara, feeling her home life upended, struggled to adjust. “I love your father, but this is hard,” she admitted one evening. “It feels like our family dynamic has been turned upside down.”
Martin, torn between loyalty to his father and his wife, found himself growing resentful. The once warm home now felt tense and strained. He began avoiding spending time with Joseph, letting Clara handle the interactions.
One evening, after an especially heated argument with Clara, Martin sat outside and prayed. “Lord, I don’t know how to manage this. I feel stuck between my father and my family. Please help me to see things clearly.”
The next day at church, the pastor spoke on Leviticus 19:32. “Respecting our elders isn’t always easy,” he said, “but it’s a command from God. Honoring them means valuing the life they’ve lived and the wisdom they’ve gained. It’s not just about obligation; it’s about love.”
The words hit Martin hard. He realized he had been so focused on the inconveniences that he had forgotten to appreciate the blessing of having his father close. That night, he sat down with Clara.
“I’ve been selfish,” he admitted. “Dad’s presence has been hard for both of us, but I think we need to shift our perspective. He’s grieving and trying to find his place in this new reality. Maybe we can work together to make him feel at home while still preserving our family dynamic.”
Clara agreed, and they both decided to talk openly with Joseph. During the conversation, Joseph admitted he had felt like a burden. “I don’t want to cause problems,” he said.
Martin hugged his father. “You’re not a burden, Dad. We’re family. Let’s figure this out together.”
With intentional effort, they established boundaries and routines that worked for everyone. Joseph started helping with the kids, telling stories of his youth that brought laughter and bonding to the home. The tension melted away, replaced with a newfound appreciation for the wisdom and love Joseph brought into their lives.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the gift of family and the wisdom that comes with age.
Help us to honor and respect our elders, even when it’s challenging.
Teach us to see their presence as a blessing and to approach every interaction with patience and love.
Like Martin, may we learn to balance our responsibilities with compassion and understanding, creating harmony in our homes.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
