Adapted from books by Shelly Beach: Ambushed By Grace: Help and Hope in the Caregiving Journey, and It Is Well with My Soul.
The call to be a caregiver is a call to sacrifice. We are expected to be totally selfless and put aside our personal priorities as we adapt to a life of caring for an ailing spouse, an aged parent, or a special needs child. We are called to give, give, and give. And if someone suggests that the experience will ultimately benefit us, we would probably be dismissive (unenthusiastic). "What is there," we may retort, "to gain from being a caregiver?"
Consider: however, this idea: caregiving is a divine appointment with God.
How so? Two things come to mind. First, as we adapt to our role as caregivers, we will find ourselves evaluating our priorities, values, and feelings as we try to balance personal needs against those of the people we are caring for. In the process, we will discover more about ourselves, our relationship with God, and about God himself.
These demands of caregiving can strip us down to the basics, such that we begin to see our true motives, passions, agendas, and priorities. At the same time, the experience can show us what it truly means to live like Jesus - selflessly and passionately pouring out our lives for others, just as He did.
Second, as we deal with the overwhelming feeling of frustration, resentment, anger, and helplessness, we will learn to turn to God for strength to keep on going. There will be moments, of course, when we will feel so burdened that even crying out to God becomes difficult. And there will be times when we will feel like throwing in the towel and giving up altogether.
But it is precisely at these times, when we are at our weakest, that we encounter God in a deep, personal way (2 Corinthians 12:9). In Luke 15:3-6, the Lord describes how a shepherd joyfully shoulders his lost sheep and returns home. How comforting! Imagine being Shepherd when you are at your weakest, and taken home in His loving hands.
No wonder Isaiah could speak of finding strength in God this way.
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Caregiving is a divine appointment with God.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnpinLC9TlzLwq0cPxZ7viWJzYzivo3grLtoFutmZ4i8L8ygOgkZmmwZWK48NgKzKMzyIOoYjtLMgB0PBg6l8f-vDV2hJwQS_r0NBCYI_9YjmbNKsmKOZDsDHNRV5Yu2jHt16QVm4XuELrvkOiBsHzKDMWLZnVXvCa8PMCi4NYUaYbmXrkZIcngz0X/s624/Divine_Appointment.jpg
https://www.enlivenpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Divine_Appointment.jpg
https://www.enlivenpublishing.com/2019/12/05/6-characteristics-of-a-divine-appointment/
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagle; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:31
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https://herchristianhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/11222211_10153430718902221_1629103628599633968_o.jpg
https://herchristianhome.com/are-you-weary-just-wait-on-the-lord-isaiah-4031-2/
The call to be a caregiver is a call to sacrifice. We are expected to be totally selfless and put aside our personal priorities as we adapt to a life of caring for an ailing spouse, an aged parent, or a special needs child. We are called to give, give, and give. And if someone suggests that the experience will ultimately benefit us, we would probably be dismissive (unenthusiastic). "What is there," we may retort, "to gain from being a caregiver?"
Consider: however, this idea: caregiving is a divine appointment with God.
Picture posted by darkmello, melani sie
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https://prnt00.deviantart.net/fed4/b/2013/120/0/00c964a05f6498552211f4a884d9b4cb-pjiylz.jpg
https://www.deviantart.com/print/view/97911002/?purchase=print&itemids=5
How so? Two things come to mind. First, as we adapt to our role as caregivers, we will find ourselves evaluating our priorities, values, and feelings as we try to balance personal needs against those of the people we are caring for. In the process, we will discover more about ourselves, our relationship with God, and about God himself.
These demands of caregiving can strip us down to the basics, such that we begin to see our true motives, passions, agendas, and priorities. At the same time, the experience can show us what it truly means to live like Jesus - selflessly and passionately pouring out our lives for others, just as He did.
Photoshop from picture posted by Brian Osgood, independent.com on Wednesday, 11 March 2020 at 04:28 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiub627EEEXTXBdzUB1PxMsiBciygVWJSMLPU4GbtC9XI1ggMnaqAjn5S90XAgz9RkiuwOdf0kZHeekfUtbYbmGQrSVc9tgVCtRz01ilR2oBT3LxEQVfXXgimjYgzEYJEfr5WanReqlihM65YGJbZb39_tPClezzRkjoKDAVmSWPdkQYW7C70H0IjGL/s1041/shutterstock_1416346082_s_1.png
https://www.independent.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/shutterstock_1416346082.jpg
https://www.independent.com/2020/03/11/caring-for-the-caregivers/
Second, as we deal with the overwhelming feeling of frustration, resentment, anger, and helplessness, we will learn to turn to God for strength to keep on going. There will be moments, of course, when we will feel so burdened that even crying out to God becomes difficult. And there will be times when we will feel like throwing in the towel and giving up altogether.
But it is precisely at these times, when we are at our weakest, that we encounter God in a deep, personal way (2 Corinthians 12:9). In Luke 15:3-6, the Lord describes how a shepherd joyfully shoulders his lost sheep and returns home. How comforting! Imagine being Shepherd when you are at your weakest, and taken home in His loving hands.
Picture posted by The Church of Jesus Christ
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAfkvQzoWuK2wQ86mrw3uw8D59yIpSr87slKPH8iIGYEUOqJ3SkWb6OPOzcLCN9wLXGA7cDyiSBGrTYS_a4U7RIWE9Nbht8T1dzwsQ5Bdu24Xd2zTp19b62P6jvU4QMAdMLVLidi15jY49jqYJyamwj3d7ZpnWFgURruQs6J7xHCWmB0daiMPiyew/s2133/jesus_the_good_shepherd_parson.jpeg
https://assets.ldscdn.org/45/93/459320c58d925380ad33f2aa3e71effa2fc25085/jesus_the_good_shepherd_parson.jpeg
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/image/good-shepherd-parson-71bc6a2?lang=eng
No wonder Isaiah could speak of finding strength in God this way.
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Caregiving is a divine appointment with God.
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
(Isaiah 40:31)
Picture posted by AAA T.L.C. Healthcare
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CDB4mOEKfCs-0pzjFZhzhsCMtgpUA46EF03aQrUEbm3qeFPjJmMIjAUqVdDOUIdNtXIoP6yblwvpiKjYEVvnMhK1X_0Lb1ABVtBE67XpGVJ9OgqKfqLjKmumi0BgAE1cdZqabWik8u1mV8X-377qVsfco7ajgJPzjyF7Bvexc6MYMurRj1v6RxkR/s2880/iStock-595145028.jpg
https://www.aaatlc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Photos/iStock-595145028.jpg?width=2880&name=iStock-595145028.jpg
https://www.aaatlc.com/news/advantages-of-in-home-care
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!"
Picture posted by Amazon
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https://www.amazon.in/BIRDS-MIND-Hanging-Synthetic-Christ/dp/B09771CRKH
Source (book): "He Walks with Me - Devotions for Your Caregiving Journey with God", PART I "JOURNEYING WITH GOD", Chapter 1 "A divine appointment", Page 10.
Adapted from books by Shelly Beach: Ambushed By Grace: Help and Hope in the Caregiving Journey, and It Is Well with My Soul.
Other Books (Links)
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html
"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html
"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html
"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html
"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html
"Teach Us to Number Our Days", © 2008 by David Roper
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-1-40.html
Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 41 - 64 (Links), posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-41.html
Links
New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Isaiah 40:31 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+40%3A31&version=NIV
Luke 15:3-6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+15%3A3-6&version=NIV
Matthew 11:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV
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- https://www.enlivenpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Divine_Appointment.jpg
- https://www.enlivenpublishing.com/2019/12/05/6-characteristics-of-a-divine-appointment/
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- https://herchristianhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/11222211_10153430718902221_1629103628599633968_o.jpg
- https://herchristianhome.com/are-you-weary-just-wait-on-the-lord-isaiah-4031-2/
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- https://www.independent.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/shutterstock_1416346082.jpg
- https://www.independent.com/2020/03/11/caring-for-the-caregivers/
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- https://assets.ldscdn.org/45/93/459320c58d925380ad33f2aa3e71effa2fc25085/jesus_the_good_shepherd_parson.jpeg
- https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/image/good-shepherd-parson-71bc6a2?lang=eng
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- https://www.amazon.in/BIRDS-MIND-Hanging-Synthetic-Christ/dp/B09771CRKH