– Monday Muse –
Dear One, remember Jesus’ concern for His mother during His crucifixion?
“Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother, His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother there, and the disciple (John) whom He loved standing nearby, He said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home,” John 19:25-27a.
What an honor it must have been for John to be given the privilege of caring for the mother of the Son of God.
Permission to share the following was granted.
I was having lunch with a dear friend, and learned that her son and his wife were moving to Traverse City to build a retirement home. My friend said that her son wanted to include a suite in his new home, one where his parents could live out their lives.
She said, “I told him no. We are not going to have him taking the responsibility for us.”
For me it was one of those moments when my tongue by-passed the brain, and spoke from heartfelt conviction. For the words, “Let him. Let him love on you,” involuntarily exploded from my lips. And that was not all. With strong emotion my tongue, not waiting to consult me on how to cup the words blurted out, “Don’t rob him of his chance to express his love, and example such love to his siblings and others. Love on your son by allowing him the privilege to love on you.”
With the warm expression of a mother’s love, she tenderly replied, “I hadn’t thought of that.” Her tone led me to think that she would seriously reconsider the offer. She added, but we don’t want to become a burden, to tie him down…to cause him to have to stay at home caring for us. ”
I encouraged, “For those situations there are agencies such as Comfort Keepers which can come to his home whenever needed.”
Sadly, it has become the norm, it’s almost expected, to place our failing elderly in nursing homes to warehouse them until death. Of course, there are times when it is the only possible option. But thankfully, even in this situation, rapt attention from the family can make the last years a blessing. But when we treat our parents like ‘oldie moldies’ and dump them off for convenience sake, our hearts grow cold. Across this nation hearts are growing cold, for more and more of our elderly are finding that family has little interest in them. Who are the biggest losers in this scenario, the ‘could be’ caregivers. For the example set is the example their children will likely follow as their hearts grow even colder.
Yes, it could be humbling to allow our children to care for us…for we will always think of them as children…always, somewhat like our Holy Father thinks of us. But allowing them to care for us can actually be for their benefit, and the following generations… love-in-disguise.
I am sure that John, the disciple whom Christ loved, took very special care of Jesus’ mother. And that when he laid Christ’s mother to rest, he was grateful for the high honor. Christ’s asks us to do likewise.
“Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in
the land the LORD your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12
Blessings,
Susanne
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