My Answer: Take special care in dealing with aging mother
Q: How can my sister and I persuade our mother to move into an assisted living facility or nursing home? We don’t think she can take care of herself much longer, but she’s stubborn and says she intends to stay in her home until she dies.
— Mrs. D.W.
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A: As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that life doesn’t get any easier, and often we face choices we wish we didn’t have to make. To put it another way, what we once saw happening to older people is now happening to us — whether we like it or not!
In all honesty, you probably can’t convince your mother to move until she either realizes she can no longer take care of herself, or else something happens that makes it necessary for her to move (such as a medical crisis or declining mental ability). It’s important, therefore, for you and your sister to keep monitoring her situation while treating her with respect and patience. From what you say, I suspect that the more insistent you are, the more she’ll resist doing what you want her to do.
At the same time, I suggest you explore other options for her care. For example, she might be open to having someone come in during the day to help her. Not only would that enable her to stay in her home, but it might be less expensive.
The most important thing, however, is to assure her of your love, and most of all, of God’s love. The older we get, the harder life often becomes. But God hasn’t forgotten us — and ahead of us is heaven if we know Christ. God has promised, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you” (Isaiah 46:4).
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Q: I think people who talk about heaven all the time are just trying to escape from this life and its problems. I think religion ought to focus on life right now, not on some vague pie-in-the-sky idea about heaven.
— N.E.
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A: Christians don’t believe in heaven because they’re trying to escape from their problems. In fact, the more seriously we take heaven, the more seriously we’ll take our responsibilities right now.
After all, no one believed in heaven more deeply than Jesus — and yet no one taught us about our daily responsibilities more deeply than Jesus. He knew heaven gives meaning to our lives, because it reminds us that life is brief, and if we’re ever going to live for God, it must be now. Heaven also gives us hope, not only for the future, but also for every moment of the day. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
How do we know heaven is real? I could give many reasons, but the ultimate proof is that Jesus Christ died and then came back to life by the power of God. Just a few days ago, Christians all over the world celebrated Easter, the day on which Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Because of His resurrection, death’s power has been defeated and we know Heaven is real. The Bible says, “This is what he promised us — eternal life” (1 John 2:25).
Don’t turn your back on heaven, and most of all, don’t turn your back on God. Someday, your life will be over, and you will stand before God to give an account of the way you’ve lived. Prepare now for that day by committing your life to Jesus Christ.
Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit https://www.billygraham.org.