The Sandwich Generation
Lately I have heard many references to “the sandwich generation.” Politicians are trying to gain the confidence and votes of this generation. Mental health experts have concerns about their stress. If you haven’t heard the term, the sandwich generation is the adults, usually in their 40s, who have at least one child under 18 living at home and who also have one or more parents in their 60s or later who they are helping care for, either financially, physically, or both. Trying to care for the top and bottom of the sandwich is hard work!
It makes me wonder which part of the sandwich you are? Some of my readers are the meat or vegetables in the middle of the sandwich, a few may be the bottom slice of bread and still live at home, and many are the top slice of bread because you are in your 60s and beyond.
While reading Psalm 144 this morning, it struck me that the psalmist had a message that might relate to the sandwich generation. David opens this psalm acknowledging that God was the one who trained his hands to fight his battle. He fought both spiritual and physical battles throughout his life, and he had a lot of experience with the battles of his sons over who would occupy the throne after him. David knew what it felt like to be the young generation, the middle generation, and the older generation.
David knew that no matter which generation you are a part of, life is always fleeting. Time passes quickly and using time wisely required staying in continued prayer and worship. Communion with God is the source of wisdom and strength to face the battles that come to every generation.
We don’t know exactly when David wrote this psalm. Maybe he was the middle of the sandwich generation or maybe he was the older generation. He certainly had his sons and daughters in mind, as well as all the sons and daughters of Israel as he prayed in verses 12-15:
“May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace.”
David had lived long enough to know that the future is ultimately in the hands of the Lord, but the generation behind us must learn to lead while submitting to God’s authority. David knew that even in agriculture, farming, and commerce, everything depends on the next generation’s leadership.
If you are in the top slice of the sandwich, then know that the sandwich generation needs our prayers. Our bodies will one day be too weak to help physically, and resources often shrink the longer we live. But what we can and must do is pray for our sons and daughters and their peers, that they might know the Lord and find their strength and wisdom in Him. We can pray and advise as long as we are able, and we maintain open communication with those coming behind us.
To those in the middle of the sandwich, we know it is hard. We have been there, and we want to help through our prayers and our encouragement. Don’t be afraid to ask us. What you are dealing with in society is more complicated than what we dealt with in many ways, but we did have difficulties and we have seen God shine brightly even in the darkest times.
To the handful of youngest readers, pray for your parents. They love you and are likely doing their very best to provide for your needs. Do not give in to the negativity of some of the older generation or think that all adults are clueless. Paul told Timothy to let no one look down on him in his youth. Even as a teenager or someone in their early 20s, God wants to use you to share in his kingdom as leaders. You are not too young to make a difference, but your greatest contribution will come from your faith in God. Seek him daily.
Father, we lift up all those in the sandwich generation. Give them assurance of your presence in their parenting, in their work, and in their concern for their parents. Be their rock and refuge as you have been for every generation before. Lord, we trust you to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we have done and more than we can imagine to bless and strengthen this generation. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Psalm 144:1-4, 12-15
Photo by Crunch on Unsplash
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