Inspirations on “Caregiving”
by Terri Wagner
“…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
Do it with joy. God spoke these words to my spirit years ago when I was caring for my Mother-in-law in my home. She was incontinent, paralyzed on one side, had a feeding tube, and was unable to communicate verbally. At that time my 2 children were six months and three years old. The days were full and left no room for my own self care. I was complaining to God saying, “I can’t do this!” God’s answer to me was, “Do it with joy.” In the Bible in the book of James, Chapter 1 verses 1-4, life’s troubles are described as “an opportunity for great joy.” Challenging moments in our life bring great endurance to our faith. I can’t live a life of faith without being strong in the Lord. When God wants to make me strong, joy is what he uses to do the job! That is why joy is so crucial.
Sometimes it can be difficult to engage wholeheartedly with what God is asking of us, and we don’t always want to do it in the way He expects us to. Caregivers face sickness, disease, and aging every day. This can be difficult and painful, or we can choose to make it an opportunity to joyfully express God’s mature love. How we do what we do…that is what defines us. Can we do it with joy and with our whole hearts? As I evaluated the way I looked at things, it affected the way I did things. I allowed God to teach me and give me joy. It wasn’t a joy in the form of a warm, happy feeling we have now and then when things are going well. It was much more than that. In my pursuit for joy, I began to take time to listen to my clients. They often shared assorted stories and memories of their lives and as I really listened, it began to sound like beautiful music to me. I guess you could say I added my “Mary” to my “Martha” and it gave me joy.
God can expect things from us that we don’t especially want to deliver. We may aspire to “being more like Him” but not really engage it wholeheartedly because it is difficult or a struggle for us. This is when God’s joy can open our eyes and give us strength.
I was one of seven children and growing up in a large family had it challenges. When I was a young child, I often wished I could have been an only child. Now, years later, I am so thankful that God gave me a large family! When Alzheimer’s disease cast its shadow over my family, the whole family - my parents, siblings, and children - were such a very present help in time of need . Although our hearts ached, we chose joy. I had been to the “joy gym” and my Instructor taught me well. I was ready for any challenge.
Joy is one of the most powerful spiritual forces in the world. Whatever circumstances we are facing today, we can be full of joy. We can be strong in the Lord. We can draw on the power of the Holy Spirit within us and come out on top. Rejoice!
As a Caregiver I daily rely on this Joy. His power guiding me to Be more like Him. Earnestly doing And Ultimately remembering that heaven is my true aim. Totally relying on His help to hold me together. My identity is in Him.
From glory to glory, to be more like You Lord!
Terri’s Favorite Quotes on Joy
“Things won are things done, Joy’s soul lies in the doing.” - William Shakespeare
“This idea of Joy is not a satisfied desire but an unsatisfied desire — a deep longing for God, a hungry pursuit of God’s heart that never ends and is more satisfying than any earthly happiness.” - C.S. Lewis
“… for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
