Three women have asked me for prayer and I have been praying for them and will keep praying for them every day this week. They are all like me, a caregiver, a survivor, or as I like to call us, the last woman standing. We’re tough, but that’s a real double-edged sword. We can also take on too much, neglect our own selves, ignore our health.
I do a lot of respite care for primary caregivers, that’s my job. I’m a caregiver at work, a caregiver at home, surrounded by other caregivers, many of us so overwhelmed, trapped in impossible situations that we can’t fix, crying out to the Lord, silently, begging for some emotional and spiritual relief. Silently, because for the most part we stay strong for others.
That’s dangerous, and I know this because I’ve face planted a few times. You want to quit, you want to resign, but this is life…..and love. You can’t quit either one. It’s hard to ask for help and it’s harder to accept help. It’s worse when there is no help forthcoming.
There are men too who are caregivers, quite a few. I sometimes joke about this being a lifestyle choice, because it is, it is choosing to love. It is choosing to provide care. Emotional care, physical care, spiritual care. We tend to take that for granted, especially if we’re looking out for a loved one, we tend to believe this is just “normal.” It’s not normal at all, it’s extraordinary.
Lord, I pray for strength and good health for all the caregivers, I pray that you make your presence known to them, and I pray that you wrap them in your grace, that you comfort them. I pray that you teach them to put their own oxygen mask on first, show them that they are not alone, and lead them to trust in you, in your Divine hand that orchestrates such beautiful teamwork.
ColorStorm said:
Just perfect in every way msbytes.
Above all: His presence.
Amen.
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insanitybytes22 said:
Thanks, Colorstorm.
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karenlts25 said:
Amen IB. Exclamation point in the heart. Yes, yes and yes!
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Julie (aka Cookie) said:
Thank You IB—as one caregiver now to another…I thank you
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gmgoetz said:
Thank you for sharing the Love of Jesus in such a practical way. I know somewhat of what you go through. My wife was a caregiver for 17 years, before retiring.,then she just switched, and started caring for our first grandson a couple of days a week.
She shared many heartbreaking stories of people she cared for, as she traveled to their homes. Some had terminal illness, some had other physical, or emotional illness, and needed care. Many were lonely, wanting / needing someone to talk with.
I am sure you shed a few tears over some of the situations people are in that you care for also.
God Bless you IB, and give you physical and emotional strength, caring for others, being the hands and feet of our Lord Jesus, serving others.
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Pastor Randy said:
Self-care is not a sin–it’s a necessity! Thanks for the reminder!
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insanitybytes22 said:
Yes, amen!
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A dad said:
As in, “seek first the kingdom of God, and then these things will be added to you.” 👍🕊
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A dad said:
Hang in there Memi! Sounds like you are a professional Mother of many! Sounds like you are stewarding your gift as well!👍🕊☀️
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SandySays1 said:
As you said you can’t resign.
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SLIMJIM said:
I just prayed a quick prayer for you and all the other ladies
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insanitybytes22 said:
Thank you for your prayers, they are much appreciated. 🙂
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