Caring for Parents - May 2020

Caring for Parents - May 2020

 

Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.
~Isaiah 40:30-31

Dear Caregivers~

These beautiful words of encouragement from the prophet Isaiah end the fortieth chapter of that book. Earlier in the chapter the prophet/poet describes God as a warrior who stoops to pick up a lamb and carry it at his bosom as he leads his people home. God’s desire is for us to find our home in God, so much so that God comes to us. As Eugene Peterson translates John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.”

Jesus works with God to make us a home with God. This home is more than heaven, it is knowing in the here and now that we are beloved children of God. Creating “home” is the work we do in caregiving. Years ago, I read an article that continues to stick with me and shape my understanding of caregiving. In it the author writes that the common definition of care is “to lessen suffering or pain.” He then offers this new definition of care: “to accompany a person into the presence of God.” The author doesn’t give a list of acts on how to do this, rather he invites caregivers into a posture of mutuality and of listening to the needs and gifts of the care receiver instead of just seeing the needs and neediness.

Caregiving in this way is holy work. Caregiving in this way is hard work. Caregiving in this way is the work of creating home with God for you and your parents.

Caregivers, may you find your hope in God, who “gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless.” May God renew your strength so that you can care and not be weary, love and not grow faint.

In Christ’s peace,
Pastor Rachel