Battered Bears

Battered Bears

1 Timothy 5:1-4

As Jenna gave her battered old teddy bear a hug before setting him on her pillow, her brother, Adam, walked past her bedroom door. “Why don’t you give that ratty old thing a decent burial—in the garbage can?” asked Adam, laughing at his own joke.

“Be quiet, Adam,” Jenna growled. “You’re not funny.”

Mom appeared in the doorway. “Let’s go, kids,” she said. Jenna made a face. They were going to visit Great-aunt Catherine at the nursing home. Her mind was no longer alert, and Jenna didn’t like visiting her.

At the nursing home, they found Great-aunt Catherine sorting through ancient photographs, as usual. Mom talked gently to her about the past while the kids drew pictures. Jenna sketched a funny picture of her great-aunt and some of the other old folks and showed it to Adam, and they snickered together in the corner. They didn’t notice Mom until she pulled the sketch from Adam’s hand.

Back home, Mom steered the children to Jenna’s room. She took the teddy bear from the bed. “Jenna, you didn’t like Adam making fun of your bear,” she said. “I guess you still love it, even though its fur is rubbed off and one eye is missing, right?” Jenna nodded. “Well,” said Mom, “I love Great-aunt Catherine, even though she’s old. She raised me after my parents died. It hurts me to see you make fun of her—more than it hurt you, Jenna, when Adam made fun of this bear.”

“I’m sorry,” murmured Jenna. She felt ashamed of her attitude that morning.

“God commands us to honor and respect old people, even though they may have worn-out bodies and minds,” continued Mom. “They have spent their life helping their families and friends. Now it’s our turn to help them. Will you both please try to remember that?”

Jenna and Adam nodded. Adam gave the old teddy bear a gentle pat as he left the room. ECO

How about You?

Have you ever made fun of older people? Do you get impatient with the elderly members of your church or family when they can’t move fast or when they tell the same stories over and over? Proverbs 16:31 says that gray hair is a crown of glory. God expects us to treat older people with honor and respect.

Memorize:

“Show your fear of God by standing up in the presence of elderly people and showing respect for the aged.” Leviticus 19:32

Respect the Elderly