Open the Door

Oftentimes, people will find themselves in the role of a caregiver unexpectedly. Their child is suddenly diagnosed with a terminal illness or their spouse has an accident and becomes disabled in some way. They receive a phone call from a sibling who says mom has ALS and we need to put her in a home.

Situations happen and you now find yourself on a different path. You find yourself trying to figure out how you are going to care for your loved one and still care for yourself and your family.

In the beginning you will feel overwhelmed with all of the decisions that need to be made, medicines to take, doctors appointments, tests, therapies. Your caregiver senses are heightened. You soon realize the weight and stress on your emotions have become almost unbearable and have brought you to a place where you are operating out of fear and anxiety.

Your mind stays on autopilot in a constant fight or flight mentality. While these emotions are necessary at times I would encourage you not to linger there too long.

One reason we do not embrace our life challenges is that it is hard to imagine that God would want us to actually go through all of the pain, anguish, and loss. We cannot see how physical disease, disability, or mental illness can be worth the effort that it takes to go through. We stand at the door afraid to touch it let alone open it and walk through. Just the thought of walking through into the unknown of a life changing moment catches our breath.

How do we trust God in all of this?

Plant a seed of faith. It is God who designed all of this and he is asking you to take his hand and walk with him.

How do we know that God will be there in the dark unknown?

Plant a seed of strength and courage. Open the door to God. Trust that God is in control. Trust that He absolutely loves you, adores you, and cares deeply for you and your loved one.

How can we feel his presence in a season of illness?

Sow the seed of meditating and reading God’s word. This will strengthen your faith with each challenge you encounter.

Open the door to the season of a caregiver. Yes, it can be hard, frustrating, aggravating, and anxiety ridden. But, it can also be a season of simplicity, perseverance, strength, courage, hope, peace, compassion, blessing and so much more.  Most importantly, it can be a season of love in a whole new way.

Take a moment to breathe. See what this season of a caregiver can bring. Through seeds of faith you can cultivate a life of beauty out of the ashes of lost hopes and dreams.

Open the door, walk through, and enjoy the journey.