"Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless--cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything--encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!" 1 Peter 4:9-11 (MSG)
It's hard.
Yes, I said it. IT IS HARD living out a calling to provide care for someone you love. I believe that God is ever present and that His love is in abundance. I know I have hope and strength from leaning into Jesus. I claim victory in the power of a risen Savior. I have faith that God won't give me "more than I can handle."
But, IT IS HARD. Families become divided. Those who ought to help are the last to offer and the first to judge. Don't question my motivations. Don't judge my actions. Don't go around me to try to catch me in nonexistent lies. If you haven't asked about my endless and often silent tears, you have surrendered your right to participate in decisions of my life. If you haven't asked about my exhaustion and sleep deprivation and grieving as I witness the one who gave me life slowly drift further away from me a day at a time, don't expect the red carpet to be rolled out with your infrequent visits.
There. I said it. I read a plethora of stories daily about caregivers who feel abandoned, criticized, and forsaken by family members who ought to love, support, and encourage them. We daily live out 1 Peter by praying, loving, and caring for loved ones, generously bestowing our love and God's grace on them, even when they don't really know who we are.
Why the persecution?
I believe in 1 John 4:4 (MSG): "My dear children, you come from God and belong to God. You have already won a big victory over those false teachers, for the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world. These people belong to the Christ-denying world. They talk the world’s language and the world eats it up. But we come from God and belong to God. Anyone who knows God understands us and listens. The person who has nothing to do with God will, of course, not listen to us. This is another test for telling the Spirit of Truth from the spirit of deception."
Why the persecution?
Because they deny the disease. Or, because they deny Christ.
Or, because persecution is a disease of the soul. Persecutors deny Christ, convincingly talk the world's language, have nothing to do with or within God's will, and are repelled by the presence of Christ in us. It's like opposite ends of a magnet repelling each other.
Therefore, I am called to lay it down and let it go. I refuse to let my own chains tie me down more than the ones that someone else tries to level on me. And, I refuse to let anyone's chains separate me from the love of God. I am delivered. I come from God, and I belong to God. I offer myself as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.
And, I am better for it. I can step over the betrayals. I am healing, forgiving, and leaning into Jesus. I am learning compassion and sacrifice. I am being used by God Himself to nurture a loved one who is in great fear of the disease that robs priceless memories. I am called to regift God's grace to my life's best friend.
I am a better woman, daughter, wife, and mom for caregiving.
And, my friend Vince Zangaro wrote a song and produced a video (link below) because he is a better man.
He and his wife Amy provide 24/7 care for his father who is in late stage Alzheimer's. Vince is an accomplished musician and wrote the song in the linked video below, called "A Better Man." Vince started the Alzheimers Music Fest in Georgia (see alzheimersmusicfest.org - currently under construction). His blog is at iamcaregiver.com, and you can enjoy more of his music at zangaromusic.com.
©2016 Regifted Grace Ministry LLC
