Prayers for Grandpa

I am incredibly frustrated tonight. No, I’m very upset—sad, mad... sad. And yes, I realize that it’s not a good idea to blog when I’m emotional, but if I don’t get this out, I may literally explode. I will not go into details because that wouldn’t be the right thing to do. I will say that over the past few months my Grandpa (my adoptive father for those who don’t know) has found himself in the middle of a battle that isn’t his. It involves his sister, my sweet great-aunt who has endured more in the past several years of her life than anyone ever should have to. (I fully believe that God’s plan is perfect, but in my great-aunt’s case, I have to ask, “Why her, Lord?”) In Grandpa’s sincere efforts to take care of his sister, he has found himself in great disfavor with others who disagree with him on the proper way to handle her affairs. And that’s ok. We are all entitled to our opinions, and in this particular situation, emotions run high. That others disagree with Grandpa is understandable… thoroughly acceptable. What is not acceptable, however, is when certain individuals who are a great deal younger than him, call and verbally mistreat him.

Here’s the thing…. There is something that people seem to forget that absolutely astounds me. It’s something called respect, and it’s what you extend to your elders. It is never acceptable to speak unkindly or disrespectfully to an elder, especially a lonely, 86 year old man who sits in his house day after day missing his precious wife who went to Heaven 3 years ago and who is a GOOD MAN—that is worth repeating—a GOOD MAN who only wants to do what is right. Whether he is right or wrong in his endeavors is irrelevant. At 86, I'd say he has earned his right to an opinion. To put it as simply as possible—it’s just wrong—inappropriate, sinful, wicked, bad bad WRONG. In Leviticus 19:32, it says, “Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God.” There’s no addendum that says, “…unless they do something you disagree with. At that point, you may speak to them as brazenly as you choose.”

Bottom line. I love my Grandpa. I would do anything to protect him, to make him happy. But I can’t make someone do the right thing. I can’t make someone who should know better, act better. I can only pray for them and pray for Grandpa’s protection until this storm blows away. And it is such a storm. And I can ask you… If you happen to read this post, please pray for Grandpa. Pray for his protection, for strength and courage, and most of all for his peace. He protected me all my life. It’s the least I can do to covet your prayers for him.

"How far you go in life," George Washington Carver taught, "depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in life, you will have been all of these."