Prayers and Promises for Caregivers: Part 1

Prayers and Promises for Caregivers: Part 1
-Roy and Char Lessin

Discovering God’s Care for Caregivers
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Caregiving can mean a short term assignment or a long term commitment. For many, caregiving has come unexpectedly and has changed their plans, challenged their schedules and altered their priorities.

Although different, the needs of a caregiver can often be as great as the needs of the one in their care. To be a caregiver is a reminder that to do good is not always easy; to give sacrificially is not always recognized; and to be available is not always convenient.

Caregivers can grow weary, even in well doing. All Caregivers need strength, patience, support, and encouragement. It is important for the caregiver to know that God cares for them.

(The Lord has been sent)…to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come… To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for His own glory (Isaiah 61:1-3 NLT).

Char’s Story: Part 1
-Char Lessin

 

I was married with young children, home on vacation in Minnesota, when we went on a visit to see my uncle Norman who was living in a nearby nursing home in Fergus Falls. I hadn’t seen him in a while so I was quite shocked and unprepared when I saw him. He had normally been a story-telling entertaining auctioneer—a friendly and loving man with a hearty laugh, but he was reduced to being nearly expressionless as he slowly walked toward us. I was frightened and didn’t know how to respond to my kind uncle I had known all my life. He had Parkinson’s.

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When my doctor told me I had Parkinson’s I was totally filled with peace. For me, this peace was a miracle. 

 

I was the type of person who could ‘do it all.’ I could also do it speedily! It was with delight I set out about my day. Hospitality was a true joy. It was a ministry I loved and the Lord had called me to. But it was a love I eventually had to let go of because I could no longer shop, clean the house, or prepare the meals.

 

My husband, Roy, became the one who did our laundry, the meal preparation, and the shopping.  The thing that was impressed upon me was how he lived before me daily with an attitude of selfless giving and joy in serving. He went from one task to the next with cheerfulness.

 

The caregiver, when committed to serve as unto the Lord, is a vessel of the best medicine available for the person in need.

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©2022 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley, used with permission. All rights reserved.