PARENTS!

That’s my brother and sister-in-law “polishing up” my Dad as we arrived for a wedding-rehearsal dinner last weekend.

Happy Father’s Day, y’all!

Someone once asked why we are scornful of deadbeat parents who neglect their young children, but excuse adult children who neglect their aging parents. That writer mused that perhaps it was because the former task was joyful, but the latter filled with sadness.

Life expectancy in America has gone up from about 50 years in 1901 to about 80 years in 2001. People are living longer … and older. But the mandate hasn’t changed. Reiterating one of the Ten Commandments, the Letter to the Ephesians tells us:

Honor your father and mother …,
so that it may be well with you,
and that you may live long on the earth.
Ephesians 6:2–3

Paul had strong words for those who neglected their own.

But if anyone
does not provide for his own,
and especially for those
of his household,
he has denied the faith
and is worse than an unbeliever.
1 Timothy 5:8

And so in their golden years, as bodies grow fragile and minds frail, we take care of our parents, who may be suffering pain, grief, fear, depression, or anxiety. It is our responsibility.

(Thankfully, our father, a widower, has been free of these agonies thus far.)

I realize that for some this may be impractical: the degree of debility of parents may render professional care necessary; the physical distance from parents that children live, in this mobile society, may create imposing demands; the responsibilities of the workplace and the cost of home-healthcare may make it impossible to watch over them at home.

But the mandate doesn’t change. We are responsible.

And we should never forget the sacrifices they made for us, their children.

[Children and grandchildren]
must first learn to practice piety
in regard to their own family and
to make some return to their parents;
for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
1 Timothy 5:4

Some things are more important … and “acceptable in the sight of God.”

And don’t forget the implicit warning in the Ten Commandments—a lessening of life span, if we don’t honor our parents. And …

Cursed is he who
dishonors his father or mother.
And all the people shall say, “Amen.”
Deuteronomy 27:16

If sacrificial service is the mark of a Christian, then surely such sacrificial service begins at home.

In a series of verses all ending with the refrain “I am the LORD”—dealing with loving our neighbor, avoiding sorcery, revering the Sabbath, being hospitable to strangers, etc.—is this one …

You shall rise up
before the grayheaded
and honor the aged,
and you shall revere your God;
I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:32

Surely that includes our parents?

God takes this very seriously.

Listen to your father
who begot you,
And do not despise
your mother when she is old.
Proverbs 23:22

In their latter years, they are not burdens. They are blessings, for they offer us the opportunity to render humble, sacrificial service. In other words, they give us a chance to be more Christlike.

Have this attitude in yourselves
which was also in Christ Jesus,
who, although He existed
in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
a thing to be grasped,
but emptied Himself,
taking the form of a bond-servant …
He humbled Himself.
Philippians 2:5–8

And we must, too, as we serve our parents and be the heart and hands and feet of Christ to them.

And enjoy a long life!