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It's a strange feeling the first time one of your parents asks you for advice. "Does this dress really look all right?" "What do you think I should do about that problem at work?" But as parents grow older, their questions grow more serious. "Should I sell the house?" "Should I have the operation if it might buy more time?" Some parents don't ask. They just need help. Month by month, they grow slower and more hesitant.

It's tempting to just step in, make whatever decisions are needed, and get the job done. But that would discount what God might be doing in the lives of your parents. In a beautiful description of the work of God's Spirit, Joel speaks of a day (our day) when God would pour out his Spirit on all his people: men, women, young, and old. Specifically, he said, "Your old men shall dream dreams" (2:28). It's important to listen to what your parents say—even when they're old, maybe especially when they're old—because you can learn a lot from them. And listening helps you respect their wishes in the decisions you make for them. Young or old, every Christian has God's Spirit inside of them; that Spirit will guide you toward wisdom, if you listen. As Peter notes in his sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2), this prophecy is fulfilled with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to people of all ages. (See also Psalm 25; Proverbs 23:22-25; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58; 1 Timothy 5:1-7.)

I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on my menservants and on my maidservants I will pour out my Spirit in those days. Joel 2:28-29

Do you respect your parents' wishes and dreams?

Copyright 2001 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Bible Studies.

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