WHO CARES?

 

Casting all your care upon Him,
for He careth for you.
I Peter 5:7

In our society, we are always learning new words or see the resurrection of old ones that suddenly become relevant. One of those words that has become prominent in the last ten or more years is the word “caregiver.” This word has become relevant because of other words we've also become familiar with such as: cancer, dementia, wounded warriors, blindness, mental disturbance, paralysis, debilitating accidents...and the list goes on and on. All of these conditions may require a caretaker in some form be it through an individual person or more in depth professional care. To a fault (and I say this tenderly) all attention is given to an individual who is in need of care while very little attention is given to that person's caregiver. Caregivers are usually spouses, adult children, close friends, professional nurses or volunteers.

Carolyn and Richard for a time didn't know when or if they would be able to return to their mountain home here in our small town. In April of 2015, Richard had a terrible accident in the yard of his home where a tree or part of one fell on him crushing ribs and with an added complication of a stroke. For weeks, it wasn't known how or if Richard would come out of it all. It was going to be a long road and has been in these months. Richard mentioned toward the beginning of his recovery, that he hoped to one day return back home. We wondered if that could happen.

Because of having a few days before another surgery, it happened that they could return home from a few states away to spend some of that time. Although using a cane, not firm on is feet and obviously very much in need of continued care and treatment, Richard with Carolyn by his side, walked out of the airport and into our car that would take them to their mountain home. This could never have happened without Carolyn's dedicated care of Richard through these months and Richard would attest to that. It hasn't been easy for either of them. Richard has been a gutsy, strong, independent and capable man as he has always been. It can't be easy for such a one to be on the receiving end of care in every way. However, Carolyn is also a gutsy, strong, independent and very capable woman whose life was drastically changed on the day of that accident...a life that was changed, never to be the same again. Carolyn walked ahead of us to open the door and turn off the alarm. We walked with Richard. As we walked through the front door, it was as if Richard just drew a deep breath, taking in the smell of his lovely house.

Just about every church I've been a part of publishes a prayer list or does it verbally in a class setting. The list of illnesses and problems go on and on. My personal conviction through what I've seen my friends experience is that although I've been very burdened for the recovery of my friend who experienced a horrible accident, I should be just as conscious for that one who is his helper, confidante and caregiver, business manager, nurse, decision maker and on and on goes the list.

A caregiver is often called on in a time of emergency to make life and death decisions on the spot. Following that may be decisions regarding medical insurance, wills, property upkeep, and bills. This can hit one person all in a moment...no notice...with the added concern for the person needing extensive care. In our day when people are living longer, caregivers ha moved to the forefront as being some of the most needed persons in our society. There's usually no extra salary if any at all for the service provided.

It sounds very business-like minus sincere feelings, but I don't mean it that way. For too long we haven't taken a good look a dear people who are giving their lives to care for people they love...people who are incapacitated and have no way of caring for themselves. Scripture speaks throughout of folks who were either caregivers or in need of care. For instance:
Think of the blind people we find in the Bible.

Those who were blind begging for alms.They definitely needed care.

• Lazarus was obviously ill to the point of death. He had the care of two sisters
• Four friends brought a paralytic to Jesus. That man had to have other caregivers.
• Peter's mother-in-law lived in his home and was very ill until Jesus healed her.

Many caregivers are long range but some may be short term. I've always been amazed at Jesus' example of the Good Samaritan who found a man by the side of a road, beaten up and in bad physical condition. Jesus said when the Samaritan saw the man, he had compassion on him. Compassion is the key when rendering any kind of care to another person. I love what Jesus said about this temporary caregiver:
And went to him, and bound up his wounds,

pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his
own beast, and brought him to an inn, and
took care of him.
And on the morrow when he departed,
he took out two pence, and gave them to
the host, and said unto him, Take care of him;
and whatsoever thou spendest more, when
I come again, I will repay thee.
Luke 10:34,35

That Samaritan didn't even know the man who was hurt....a despised Samaritan did all of that for a stranger. We may be called on at times to be temporary caregivers in times of great need. It may mean finding ways to be of encouragement to a family where special care is needed...phone calls, offering to sit with an ill person to relieve a caregiver, taking a good meal into the home, but being a prayer partner most of all. We all know caregivers. Look at your church prayer list at folks with serious conditions and you will need to recognize the fact that for every name, there are caregivers. Caregivers get tired, discouraged, feel lonely, may suffer abuse of different types from the one being cared for and may wear down to the point of becoming ill themselves. These are folks who will rarely express negative thoughts about their situation except to a few very dear friends. They tend to keep their feelings to themselves and that isn't always healthy. My hope is to just raise an awareness that for every person suffering from a physical or mental condition that is debilitating, there are caregivers on vigilant duty providing care, not giving up on their loved one.

Whether a caregiver or “care-needer,” we all must remember whatever our care, Jesus is our burden bearer. He's the ultimate Caregiver and has hundreds of ways to see to our care.

By the way, welcome home, Richard and Carolyn! It's been a long road

Dear Father...You are our ultimate Caregiver. You cared enough to send Jesus to die for our sin that we might be free in You. The ills of this world still chase us while we are here. Thank You for those folks who have taken up the challenge of caregiving. You know who and where they are. Bless and strengthen each one right in the middle of their situation. Help us to stand ready to help where and when we can when a caregiving friend needs encouragement. In Jesus precious name...Amen