A
I'm 59 years old and have always had to work on honoring Dad. Because of that we had a pretty good relationship. We still do except...
Well, now Dad has serious dementia. He tells me he had tomatoes in his garden last year, but he hasn't had a garden in a decade. He tells me he mows his lawn often, but he hasn't touched the lawn mower in a couple of years. He tells me he jumps in the hot tub. Thank God he doesn't because it's not black with water. It's just utterly, totally black inside. He's become a recluse, a hoarder, and is living on alcohol only, as in he hasn't eaten food in weeks.
So, practical question on honoring Dad. I haven't argued with Dad since I was 22. No purpose. He has always heard what he would hear, so he never heard me disagreeing even when I am nicely disagreeing. My oldest brother wants us all united in telling Dad it's time to find a safer place to live and get help. Well, he shouts at his youngest two kids (and by kids, they're still adults, but in their late 20's and early 30's), he simply shuts down when oldest brother tells him the truth, and I'm really out of practice on trying to get Dad to hear truth. Mostly, I'm a bit kerflummoxed on what "honor" means in this case.
Anyone want to enlighten me? I really hate the idea of yelling at him, particularly since I know he's feeling very vulnerable, but no one should have to live like he does, so maybe I should to get through.
(Side note: Yes we know about POA, my oldest brother has that, but he does not want to go in front of a judge with Dad in the room to tell these people how bad Dad is.) This isn't a legal question. This is a "What does the Bible say?" question.
Well, now Dad has serious dementia. He tells me he had tomatoes in his garden last year, but he hasn't had a garden in a decade. He tells me he mows his lawn often, but he hasn't touched the lawn mower in a couple of years. He tells me he jumps in the hot tub. Thank God he doesn't because it's not black with water. It's just utterly, totally black inside. He's become a recluse, a hoarder, and is living on alcohol only, as in he hasn't eaten food in weeks.
So, practical question on honoring Dad. I haven't argued with Dad since I was 22. No purpose. He has always heard what he would hear, so he never heard me disagreeing even when I am nicely disagreeing. My oldest brother wants us all united in telling Dad it's time to find a safer place to live and get help. Well, he shouts at his youngest two kids (and by kids, they're still adults, but in their late 20's and early 30's), he simply shuts down when oldest brother tells him the truth, and I'm really out of practice on trying to get Dad to hear truth. Mostly, I'm a bit kerflummoxed on what "honor" means in this case.
Anyone want to enlighten me? I really hate the idea of yelling at him, particularly since I know he's feeling very vulnerable, but no one should have to live like he does, so maybe I should to get through.
(Side note: Yes we know about POA, my oldest brother has that, but he does not want to go in front of a judge with Dad in the room to tell these people how bad Dad is.) This isn't a legal question. This is a "What does the Bible say?" question.