Loss of Respect for our Elders

Isaiah 46:4 – Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

As I find one more gray hair, I can feel myself dropping to my knees because with each hair, I not only lose respect for myself, but I also notice people who no longer appreciate the gray hairs that grow and don’t believe God is saying that even when I’m old and have gray hairs, God will sustain me.
 
Losing respect can be a New Year’s crusher. Can you hear the street sweeper heading in your direction? It’s loud, but many times we pretend we don’t hear it and continue down that street of loss of respect.
 
When we look back even 25 years ago, the wisdom that older women and men have was still considered a jewel.
 
But now, in 2020, it would appear that old age means:
 

• Get out of the way! I’m young and coming through.
• You don’t have anything to give because you are ancient history.
• With all your aches and pains you’re draining reserves that young people need.
• Doctors stop listening to you and chalk it up to you focusing too much on what may be wrong with you, or are you just trying to get attention?
• The wisdom of the old turns into an age group that no one wants to listen to.

 
Here are some ideas about how we can better find ways that an older generation still can contribute to the workplace on harver.com in their article, “How to Manage Generational Diversity in the Workplace.” This article discusses many of the difficulties that management has to deal with now that we have four generations working together and the differences in how each age group is affecting the work force and what each age group has to offer such as diversity and whether they have a strong work ethic. It discusses in detail the problems such as higher risks of conflicts, lack of mutual understanding, different working styles and communication gaps. Last, the article discusses how generational diversity contributes to a company.
 
Finally, after reading the information in the article above can help us understand each other better. The Bible verse above shows that God takes a different approach and opinion on each age group and the value he places on seeking out those who are older and showing them respect.

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