The Neglected Ones
Dear Judy, I am so blessed to have the ability to help my mom through some health issues in her life. During this time I have seen many elderly people being neglected by their family. I feel this is a huge issue even in the body of Christ. It seems that doing things, even “Christian” things, take more priority than their own mom, dad and grandparents. I just can’t understand how a Christian or better yet a minister can be so neglectful of their own family.
Dear Caring One,
God bless you for caring for your mother in her time of need. God will honor you for that. But about your concern for neglected parents, I too see this so many times in this country. I have traveled to other countries and I have seen that mom, dad, and grandparents have top priority. This is very true with the Christians and ministers.
Even in America, we see other cultures take very good care of older members of their family. You are observing correctly when you see the business of the ministry or Christian priorities taking the place of care caring for the elderly. This is so wrong. The Bible says, “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). One of the greatest burdens an elderly person can have is facing losing their strength and health. Bearing that with them is to help them know that they are useful, the Lord heals, and He loves them! I had someone say to me once, if you save the world Judy and lose your family, what good is that! This is a true statement.
I truly did not understand some of this until I was faced with this issue with my own mom. I am an only child so all of the decision-making is on me. I felt overwhelmed and got on my knees and asked the Holy Spirit to show me what to do. He showed me each step of the way, and continues to do so.
I sat in the hospital with Mom 24/7 and saw so many who had no one with them. My heart broke and it sure showed me how to pray. Yes caring for another person can get overwhelming and we may feel other things are more important, but then I feel that is just plain being selfish. Christians are not to be selfish. Sometimes life as we have known it must stop!
Elderly people are on the backside of life and it is so important to help them come to the Lord and know they have life beyond this life when they have Jesus Christ as their Savior. Those who love the Lord look forward to living forever with Him. We get to help them understand their time is in the Lord’s hands and He will keep them on earth until that time.
Christians especially should be helping their aging family and others who need help. Jesus says, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends” (John 15:12-13). May 2015 - The Neglected Ones by Dr. Judy Baus
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