Refused Mercies
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul. Therefore, I hope in Him.” Lamentations 3:22-24
My heart is breaking this morning for an elderly aunt in her 90’s who is suffering in deplorable conditions, yet will not allow anyone to help her. Her daughter seems unable or unwilling to care properly for her aged mother. When the crisis reaches intolerable limits, a call goes out to my sister who arrives like the cavalry to save the day, but she can only provide temporary measures because long term solutions are vehemently denied to her by everyone in the dysfunctional household. And so, in addition to the disturbing anguish over my aunt’s condition is the emotional toll on my sister who is tormented with the thoughts of our aunt’s suffering.
I am praying daily over this situation. We are looking for interventions. In this particular state there seems to be no effective agency for elder abuse or anyone who can force the issue. The ambulance staff has been told to get out of the house in rather angry and colorful language. The police say they cannot take her out unless they arrest her. What would they charge her with? Being old and stubborn? The Social Services agencies have been out to the house and say there is nothing they can do. Really?!
Have I mentioned I am praying daily over this situation? What is the answer when there seems to be no answer? Where is God?
I know He sees and knows all that happens and all that doesn’t happen in that little house. The thinking there is childish, foolish, self-involved, and reality is far distant from decision-making. What can we do when we are denied at every turn? Help is at the door and yet my aunt will not leave, will not get proper care, and remains adamant about maintaining the horrific status quo.
I know that God Himself has been in this position since He created man. He knows how this feels. He weeps with us. He has always wanted so much more for those who bear His image and yet we have insisted upon things that bring about our own destruction and pain. We reject His help, His love, and His perfect solution to our crisis of sin and death. He has cried out, “What more can I do?” Salvation knocks at the door, but He hears rejection, denial, and refusal to be saved, to be set free, to be made whole. It breaks His heart.
Father, we look to You to do those things that are beyond us. You are the hope we hold onto. Break through the illusions and lies and bring kindness and care into this situation that seems so frustratingly hopeless. In Jesus name, Amen.
I am agreeing with you in your prayer, as I am sure all who read this later will do likewise. Many of us have loved ones, dysfunctions in our families that go back generations and at times the situation appears to be so hopeless, and as we tend to get completely defeated in our efforts, and our prayers seem to go unanswered, we must remember ….”And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9 NKJV
I face a somewhat similar situation (though not nearly as drastic) with my own mother in the Bay Area. She’s ok on her own thus far, but her memory and emotional function are slipping. Decisions are made on feelings alone, not reality, about which her perception has vast gaps. Thank you for sharing. Yes, let us not do the same to God!