Scriptural Encouragement for the Double-Decker Sandwich Generation

Monica Portogallo shares some scriptural words of encouragement for those caring for parents, spouses, and children all at the same time.

The expression “sandwich generation” has been around for a while, and I find it’s a good way to describe the pressure on both sides felt by those of us who have both aging parents and young children who need our help.

The double-decker sandwich generation

There’s also a subset of the sandwich generation that I call the double-decker sandwich generation: people who must care for not only parents and children, but also, in some way, a spouse as well. Whether the spouse is ill mentally or physically, absent emotionally, mentally, or physically, or for whatever reason cannot or will not help their spouse, members of this subgroup have an added pressure that often nobody else knows about.

If you’re a double-decker sandwicher, I know how hard it can be to have so many people with such different needs depending on you. I’d like to offer you a few Scripture passages that I hope will provide you with some comfort during those times when it all seems too much for one person to handle — because it is!

Scriptural encouragement for caregivers

But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me;
    my Lord has forgotten me.”
Can a mother forget her infant,
    be without tenderness for the child of her womb?
Even should she forget,
    I will never forget you. (Isaiah 49:14-15)

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“Many are the women of proven worth,
    but you have excelled them all.”
Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting;
    the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Acclaim her for the work of her hands,
    and let her deeds praise her at the city gates. (Proverbs 31:29-31)

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"Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them … And your Father who sees in secret will repay you." (Matthew 6:1,4)

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"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves." (Matthew 11:28-29)

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The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. (Mark 6:30-32)

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Therefore, my beloved brothers, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

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Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace. (1 Peter 4: 8-10)

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And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:40)

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