Who Cares

A lot of people care. I see it in friends and family, co-workers, and leaders of various kinds. Who would argue with the idea that the world is a better place because of people who care?

This week I was talking with someone whose life is taking an unexpected turn. He is close to retirement, but due to his wife’s health, he is becoming a caregiver.

As we talked, I was reminded of the daily challenges in my care-giving days. I had been retired one year when Dad needed help because he could no longer drive.

To this day I’m grateful my husband agreed and was willing to make necessary life adjustments to also help Dad. A few years later, I became a caregiver for my husband.

A caregiver’s life becomes the life of the cared for. As a widower, Dad was used to getting up and going to Denny’s for breakfast every day. I always enjoyed breakfast at home, so that was just one of my adjustments.

There were also challenges with all the doctor appointments and calls to the insurance company. Except for my bout with breast cancer, I’d been healthy and doctor visits were not ongoing.

When hospice was needed, they were a big help to me as well as Dad. It was a relief to be able to call his nurse if I had a question. But home health aides, the chaplain, and the social worker were also supportive and encouraging.

To me, caregiving was “tiring.” But in the conversation this week I heard the word “draining.” I think that’s a better word for it. After all, the person giving care is on tap 24/7.

Who cares? I’m hoping you do.

First a word for Caregivers: Love is expressed, said Jesus, by being willing to lay down your life for a friend (John 15:12-13). I’m sure this also applies to love in acts of service to family members.

Now a word to Non-Caregivers: The challenge this week is to consider how you can encourage a caregiver by showing them that YOU CARE!

Pixabay: Hands, Arms, Reading; GDJ. 

  

My Psalm One Daddy

MY PSALM ONE DADDY

My dad was not perfect, but is anybody’s? He lived to the ripe old age of ninety and I knew him as the oldest of three siblings.

Some people would call dad a “preacher man.” Not me. In the professional world he was called a minister, which was fine. But on a day-to-day basis I saw him as a “pastor.”

Pastor brings to mind pasture. Pasture brings to mind sheep. Sheep need a shepherd. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:14). That was the type of relationship dad had with people in his congregations.

Dad in Action

Dad studied long and hard to faithfully share God’s Word in church services. I’ve heard people say, “You preachers have it easy. You only work on Sunday.” Not true with dad. With him it was ministry twenty-four/seven.

Sometimes people came to our home. Other times they went to his office. He went to them, too, through hospital and home visitation. It was important to him to feed the sheep in practical ways and everyday settings.

My dad’s faithful ministry had a large impact on my life, but that’s not why I call him “My Psalm One Daddy.” That title comes from his personal life.

Daddy Up Close

 My life was greatly influenced by his consistency. Although compassionate to the wayward, he held himself accountable to personal principles. For example, his word was his bond. He paid his bills. He loved and provided for his wife and children. He set an example in higher education. He planned family vacations.

Before dad passed away, I was his caregiver for two and a half years. Until the last few days, I saw him read his giant print Bible and get down on his knees to pray. This matched my childhood memories.

The last three days of his life were in a hospice care center. My oldest brother was sitting with him while I went to enjoy a cup of hot tea in a deli.

Suddenly I felt extremely impressed to go home, get my Bible, then go share Psalm One with dad.

A Personal Message

Standing close to his bedside, I said, “Dad, according to Psalm One, you are a blessed man. You have not taken advice from the wicked, but you’ve walked in the ways of the Lord as you’ve read and studied His word.”

“You may not have felt prosperous, but God daily met your needs. You have produced spiritual fruit continually as you’ve shared God’s Word and prayed for people all these years.”

“And there are people in the churches you pastored who have continually loved the Lord and raised their families to do the same.” I then read Psalm One aloud.

Father's Day

Dad never responded, but since hospice says hearing is the last to go, I believe he heard me. 

Today is Father's Day. Though he died six years ago, I’m still thankful for my Psalm One daddy.