Until now I have never realized the monumental task that a caregiver faces.
I write this post knowing full well that it may sound like I am complaining. I am not! I have become aware.
I am sure that there are degrees of care giving ranging from caring for a loved one who is suffering with a cold or the flu to waiting helplessly while watching a loved one pass from this life. I really thought that I understood all that but during the last week I found out how little I knew.
Care-giving is a manifestation of devoted love. It stretches the caregiver beyond anything ever experienced. And when the patient is resting or sleeping the caregiver not only has to clean but also prepare for future care.
Now I know why the caregiver is often stretched to fatigue and stress. Many other emotions erupt. Frequently these emotions are brought on by sleeplessness and lack of nutritional care. Life, as it was once known, stops. Times for prayer and devotional opportunities are increasingly more difficult to etch out.
Today my heart and my prayers go out to every caregiver who is working at the bedside of someone they love. You have my respect. You have my love and my prayers as well as my permission to call me anytime that you need me.
I have been thinking about some caregivers who have had to go through a difficult situation all by themselves.
I never want that to happen again!
In the Bonds of Calvary,
With all that you are walking through you still extend an offer for help. You, Pastor Kuschel, are truly one of a kind. I hope that you have time to rest and nourish yourself before your phone rings….the world needs more saints like you….Praying for your strength to be rejuvenated!!!
Tomorrow we find out what the CT scan revealed….please pray that no more cancer is in my moms body!!!!! Please?!?!?!? With God all things are possible…right?!
Love,
Erika
PS…in case I have not told you latley I think your great….
Mom says to hug Sandy for her, and also that she prays for you, her friend with great integrity!
Pastor Kuschel,
I just wanted to let you know that our church is continuing to pray for you, Sis. Kuschel and the Westwood Hills Church.
Know you are not alone.
God bless,
Pastor LaVoy
Unfortunately, I’ve had to be my husband’s caregiver. I say unfortunately only for the fact that it means he was sick. It was during these times that God taught me BIG lessons! One of the lessons was the one you became aware of today. I think caregivers are often looked at as strong during really hard times. Because of God and nothing else, I was strong during the storm but there were times just like you described in your blog. It is hard. There were many why questions asked of God during that time. But He remained faithful when I didn’t feel like being faithful. God is good. All the time. God has given me a genuine empathy for those that are going through this difficult time. I will continue to pray for Aunt Sandy. And I will pray for you, Uncle Bob. For your strength and for your patience.
My Brother Bob,
And the scripture seems daily to become more relevant in our lives. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” II Corinthians 1:3-4.
We love you two much,
John Ballard
Pastor St Johns Baptist
Caregiving is a ministry. As we pulpit ministers must pour our heart and soul into the work, caregivers do also.
I pray for you and Sandy. It hurts that she cannot be up bouncing like she was intended to.
Blessings my brother. Blessings.