Somewhere on your TV band every Christmas, you will find It’s a Wonderful Life, starring James Stewart and Donna Reed. Since 1946, the story of a man ready to jump the bridge because he felt his life was a dismal failure turns out to be one of hope and joy. It’s happy ending is largely due to a bumbling angel trying to earn his wings by rescuing George Bailey from the depths of depression. Then there was the TV series, Touched by an Angel, another favorite tinged with the divine.
Up in Heaven
Now imagine this scene. You are an angel who has been doing menial odd jobs in heaven for about two millennia, when suddenly God calls you into his office (which is a little bit on the cozy side, taking up only three galaxies). Wings shaking in terror, and looking down at your feet because the light surrounding the great I AM is blinding, you hear a gentle voice and not the thunderous roar you dreaded.
“One of my beloved children has become very fragile. Because it is not my will to call him home at this time, I am sending you to care for him. The task will be difficult. You will need wisdom and patience. I will provide all you need, but you must trust me completely. You will leave your wings and celestial powers here and will complete the task I am giving you as a mere mortal. Remember, I love this special child and am entrusting his well-being to you. Do not be afraid. Nothing will happen outside of my will.”
A thousand questions run through your mind. Why ask me, of all the angels up here? I’m the least prepared for this. But wow! God Himself is sending me on a special mission. For the first time, He trusts me to do something really special. I’m honored. Didn’t He just tell me face to face I could trust Him? I can do this. I will do this.
Here on Earth
So I ask you, what is the difference between the angel and a caregiver? Other than the wings and celestial powers part, hasn’t God called you to care for a very fragile person that He loves? A dear friend recently passed away, but I will always remember what he said about finding God’s purpose for your life. “You can study the Bible about it and pray about it, or you can simply do what’s right there under your nose.”
Doesn’t God tell us in Romans 8:28 that He works all things together for those that love Him and are called according to His purpose? If it is God’s purpose to entrust a precious person to your care, will He not weave all things together so you can fulfill your calling?
There may come a time when you must share caregiving tasks with others. Sometimes, the only way people can get safe, adequate care is in an institution or with professional home care services.That does not mean caregivers cease to be caregivers, but some tasks may change. Instead of giving hands-on care, you are present, you love, you support, you advocate.
I do not know if you have experienced this or not, but when I was the most stressed and overwhelmed, I found if I told God exactly what I was thinking and feeling without holding anything back, I was able to calm down and see the situation through His eyes and not mine. It is a totally different view, and one that brings comfort and reassurance.Friends, God’s got this caregiving gig. Although things may not work out in ways you thought or wanted, they will work out according to His will — and you will find peace. Sometimes we just need to look out another window for a different perspective — His.
“Truer words….” My times of care-giving have been short but intense. Much of it was more care management, such as when I helped my Mom set my Dad up for bypass surgery, explaining the “medicalese” of the cardiologists I knew. Mom was actually in the hospital when she died, but it was I who visited her every day and communicated her situation to my sisters. Being the “nurse” in the family elected me to the status of chief health care commissioner!
That fleeting sense of power was demolished when Bob was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. Heart disease I could have dealt with, cancer was a way different story, especially with a disease that carried with it less than a 10% chance of survival after five years. Unfortunately due to infection Bob was unable to sustain chemotherapy and was gone within three months.
I have since assisted others whose spouses were placed into hospice care. I guess you can call me the “Nurse of Death”, not the title I’d care to be known for. In many ways it echoes my ICU days, when I’d fight for my patient all shift, only to have them succumb at the end.
I’d like to think the great “I AM” put the bug in my ear about becoming a nurse when I was a junior in high school. Up until then I was preparing to become an English lit teacher. Thank you, Lord, for opening my eyes!
Love your heart
When I get down, God whispers to me and I see the person. I care for through His eyes. Thanks for sharing.
It makes all the difference, doesn’t it, Bob.