[Faith-talk] FW: [masterslist] Caring For the Overlooked

Thu Apr 5 17:30:30 UTC 2012

Original Message: 
From: "Dean Masters" <dwmasters15 at gmail.com>
To: "masters list" <masterslist at yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [masterslist] Caring For the Overlooked
Date: 
Thu, 5 Apr 2012 13:23:16 -0400

Caring for the Overlooked
LeAnn Rice

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of 
Christ."
Galatians 6:2
(NIV)

I can count on my fingers the number of times I showered during the last 
couple of months of Ron's life. My husband was confined to a hospital bed
in 
our
living room, and hooked up to a morphine drip that he'd try to pull out
of 
his arm when he'd wake disoriented. And we had a three-year-old little
boy 
who
liked to toss things into the toilet bowl and stir them around. I
couldn't 
take my eyes off of either one of them.

But I needed to bathe and brush my teeth. I had groceries to purchase, 
mouths to feed, bills to pay and trash to take to the curb. Several times 
throughout
the day, I needed to go to the bathroom. I depended on others to help me 
"carry" all these things.

Once a week, a Hospice volunteer sat with Ron so I could take a shower
and a 
nap. My mother and sister-in-law picked Nick up a couple of times a week
so
he didn't witness things with his dad that a toddler shouldn't see. There

were occasional visits from friends and other family members, but most
kept 
away
because it was too difficult for them to see their beloved Ron
deteriorate 
so quickly.

I understood. Really, I did.

But it was hard.

I felt alone and helpless.

Hungry and tired and dirty.

And I was watching the love of my life die a little more each day.

I wouldn't trade those final days with Ron for anything in the world. I 
would not have wanted (or allowed) anyone else to care for him. Love gave
me 
strength
and God carried me when I had no energy left. Yet, while the role of 
caregiver is one I cherished, it was filled with so many challenges and 
hardships.

Do you know someone who is caring for a chronically or terminally-ill
loved 
one, an elderly parent or a young child?

As today's verse in Galatians tells us, we are called to be
compassionate, 
to love, and to carry each other's burdens. When we do these things in
His 
Name,
we demonstrate His love to others. It is our responsibility as
Christians. 
And it's our privilege.

>From a heart that has been there, may I encourage you? Don't overlook the

caregiver. Love on them. Encourage them. And be the hands of Christ,
helping 
carry
their burdens, in the midst of their weariness.

Dear Lord, please give me Your eyes to see the struggling caregivers
around 
me. Strengthen and equip me to help carry their burdens. Help me to see
when
help is needed and when I would be more of a burden than a help. Show me 
tangible ways that I can make a difference, bring encouragement, and share

Your
love. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Related Resources:
Do You Know the Greatest Comforter?

Words of Comfort for Times of Loss
by Cecil Murphy and Liz Allison

For more encouragement from LeAnn, stop by
She Cooks
or visit her and her team at
A Widow's Might.

Reflect and Respond:
Is there someone in your life, at work, or in your church that is
currently 
the primary or only caregiver for someone? Let them know that you are 
praying
for them and that they matter.

Offer your assistance. If they are hesitant to accept, find practical
ways 
to help like bringing groceries or stopping by with a hot meal and
laundry 
detergent.
Do a load of laundry. If they have children, offer to take them to the
park 
or on a play date with your kids.

Power Verse:
John 13:34,
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you 
must love one another." (NIV 1984)

Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org

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Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand in
the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our
Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and
authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 1:24-25

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