When the Tables Turn
Linda Soller | May 05, 2025
It is easy to become comfortable with the status quo. You may be expecting change, there may be signs of change, but as long as it hasn’t arrived you manage to avoid thinking about it. One of the hardest changes to my mind is when you find yourself being responsible for a loved one. Especially when the loved one is a parent. When the tables turn and you are in a new role, it can feel weird. As more and more people live to be older than prior generations this issue comes up often. Oh, people got really old in the past, but the way families lived has changed greatly.
I am aware of multiple people who find themselves in this reversal of roles, myself included. There should be some easy answers, but alas each person, caregiver, and each situation is different. It had crossed my mind that I might reach this point. However, I was still not prepared for the level of commitment that would be involved. I don’t really know what I expected. It may not be what my family member expected either. Few of us think of the “what if scenarios” of growing older. Those who plan are smart, I salute you. For those of us that live in the – I will deal with it – world, let’s just say we may be in for a surprise.
There are forty verses in the Bible regarding how we are to respect our parents. Ephesians 6: 1-3 tells children to obey their parents. These verses have not really given me a great deal of assistance in this situation. This is not to say the Bible is not helpful. The fifth commandment states we are to honor our father and mother. This I do find helpful. To me this commandment sums it up. We need to love them, respect them, and care for them as best we can. Sometimes it may not feel like enough, but when the tables turn, it may be the best you can do.
Be strong in the Lord and be kind!
Linda
