I was so blessed by my fellow blogger, Hope’s post over on Patiently Hopeful that I had to share this with my readers. I really enjoyed her insight that being a caregiver is not only for those in long-term care. Being a mother (or father) is caregiving. Being a pastor, a teacher or a coach, we are each entrusted with the job of caring for someone. But there are also times in life when that caregiving role demands far more and presses us to our limits. That is when the lessons learned, as Hope tells us, will be most needed. Have a blessed day everyone!
Caregiving
Taking Care of Mom
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. John 19:26-27 ESV
A few years ago, during the pandemic, the way we had served in the past was challenged because nursing homes had closed their doors to visitors. Everything we knew how to do was denied us and we struggled to find ways to still reach the residents in practical loving ways. Today, that era is a distant memory, but if you are a caregiver, chaplain, family member or friend, you will still face moments of despair, and today’s verse encourages us to keep going whatever difficulties we face. Jesus chose us to serve in a unique way, to love widows and those orphaned by the world, entrusting their care to us for a season. When that call seems overwhelming, we need to remember, that when Jesus asked John to take care of His mother, He didn’t assign her as a problem to be solved or a burden to bear, but as a mother to love. Our calling as long-term care workers is to keep on loving people in every way possible and through every opportunity that God puts in our hands. Notice also that none of the other disciples ever understood or helped John out. While Peter and Paul had big public ministries, John stayed close to home. He was taking care of Mary as his lifelong commitment and a lifelong trust. While some people will understand and encourage us, most have little idea of what we are going through. But what matters is not what others think, what counts is that Jesus knows, and will give us His strength and His provision, because after all- we are taking care of His mom!
Merry Christmas!
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11 ESV
Some of you have followed this blog for a while, and others are new, but I appreciate every one of you who has taken the time to interact. I do read as many of your blogs as I can, and appreciate the encouragement, challenges and even corrections offered. We serve an awesome and wonderful Savior and none of us has all the answers! Now, December 25th is a very unlikely date for the actual story of Bethlehem, but it gives us a unique opportunity to share the wonderful story of our Jesus. This world is far too busy and even radically opposed to His message of repentance, faith and hope most of the time, but on this day, many businesses are closed and much of the western world pauses to catch its breath. Why not use this brief opportunity to share the radical hope, joy and peace we have found in Jesus? Today, I offer to you my final Christmas message, from the Friday service and also offer two free books. The video is just a tad over six minutes, so it won’t eat up much of your time, and these two devotional books will be available for a free download, from Christmas Eve through the day after Christmas. Have a Merry Christmas and may God bless you richly with both a wonderful Silent Night and the great joy we can find only in Jesus Christ!
Here are the links to the two books. The first, Grace for the Road is a 40-day devotional book especially for caregivers. The second is a 30-day Christmas Devotional which I wrote for 2023. I hope that one of these two gifts may serve in place as a little something for your Christmas stocking. Blessings all
praise2worshipdotnet 
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