Care Giving

A friend had my Mom over for a sleep over knowing I had company. My daughters do this and it is a break knowing Mom is having fun - without me. I care give my mom and my uncle even though they do not live with me. I see Mom most every day and my uncle once a week. My mom gets lots of company and is very social but expects me every day. Mom and I are his only visitors other than a church friend who brings flowers twice a month. Each week we travel an hour to visit. Most of the time he is awake and knows who we are even though he is pleasantly confused. We laugh a lot and talk about my Granny and old times.

I choose to care give because of Exodus 20: 12, "Honor your father and your mother." God cares for the elderly. Isaiah 46: 4, "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you." There are many caregivers exhausted, burdened and grieving. Some, like me, have had a great relationship with their parent so they have love and devotion. It is still challenging but comes with joy. I am thankful that those I care give are believers and not scared for the end of life, in fact they're ready to go be with the Lord. Not everyone has good parents but how we feel about our relatives isn't what determines whether we honor them. "Honor your father and your mother" is a commandment. God doesn't make exceptions.

Care giving is exhausting and taxing, both physically and emotionally. God wastes nothing so during this season we will grow in Him. We will never regret this time of serving. God can be our motivation as we serve with patience and kindness hoping to hear, "well done". When we sacrificially care give, we understand God's love for us. We honor Him when we honor them.

How we treat our loved ones may be the way our children treat us one day!