Those of you who are caring for a frail elderly person – mother, father, aunt, uncle, etc. – know the energy it takes -- as well as the faith and trust it takes -- to be present to the frail elderly person daily…as well as the energy, faith, and trust it takes to be also present to your family and to your work.

Many of us – men and women – are called upon to be Caregivers (with a capital C) and we are not necessarily “trained” or ready for the challenge.  I am blessed with a caring work community, faithful friends, and a “rock of Gibraltar” husband…

Today I’d like to use Psalm 131 to reflect on the lives of those elderly who are suffering mentally, spiritually, or physically – and their caregivers. 

The dignity of the frail elder today:

• What qualities and virtues he/she possesses …even though some abilities and strengths have disappeared…. 
• What the person has contributed in his/her life…in the family, at work, and in the community…
• What history of current generations they have lived through…perhaps World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, etc…and the courage they have shown us in being a part of the struggles at that time.
• How they have endured the fall of the 1929 stock market, the Great Depression, and the loss of income they are feeling today…frightened about the necessary money to take care of them in the coming months or years.
• How they don’t want to be a burden on you…or the family…and don’t understand why they are still on earth.
• The thoughtfulness it takes for them to wake up and greet the day with a smile or say a kind word of “thank you.”

Sometimes I believe the frail elderly are some of the most courageous among us.  They are waiting for their time to be united with their loved ones who have gone before.  They teach us how to live God’s will…not theirs.

“…As a child lies quietly in its mother’s arms, so my heart is quiet within me.
Israel, trust in the Lord now and forever!”

The compassion of the Caregiver today:

I believe that with the frail elderly, the Caregiver – after taking care of all the necessary paper work:  the Power of Attorney; the Living Will; arrangements for the possible donation of the body to science; the end of life liturgies and prayers; the “no code” signs posted with the consent of the elder person, the doctor, and family; the selling of the home to have enough resources to pay nursing home bills – after all has been done, the Caregiver can also say: 

“…As a child lies quietly in its mother’s arms, so my heart is quiet within me.
Israel, trust in the Lord now and forever!”

Thank you, most Gracious God, for this simple psalm of trust.  Thank you for Your daily nourishment through the Scriptures.  Amen