There are lots of Family Caregivers mentioned in the Bible. Adam and Eve raised Cain and Abel, and then probably other children as well. Ruth refused to leave her mother-in-law’s side even after they had both lost everything and Naomi tried to send her away. Instead, she stayed and provided for Naomi into her old age and disability. Joseph cared for his whole family when famine decimated the entire area. Jesus asked John to care for his mother while he hung on the cross. There are many more examples I could give, but here’s my point:
Family Caregivers are as old as time, and even OLDER!! Consider this.
If you have come to God the Father through Jesus Christ, then you are a child of God. As a child of God, you are a member of God’s family. And in the 46th chapter of Isaiah in the Old Testament, God commits to caring for us across our entire lifespan. In this passage, God says he made us. He has cared for us since birth, and He will always care for us until our hair is white with age. So actually, God Himself is the first Family Caregiver, and He is constantly caring for you and me!
…3bI have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. 4I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. (Isaiah 46: 3-4) NLT
When we talk about having the Heart of the Caregiver, we are talking about having God’s Heart. God’s Heart has a higher capacity to care than you or I can even imagine. His care never ends. God never gets stressed out or fatigued. He never needs to take a vacation or a sick day. God doesn’t even need to sleep! And no challenge is too hard for God. He can handle caring for you, and for me, and for the whole world all at the same time. God always cares for us, even when we can’t take care of ourselves.
When being a Family Caregiver starts getting to you, when you are feeling overwhelmed or exhausted, discouraged or at the end of your rope, cling to your personal Caregiver, the First Family Caregiver, the Lord God Almighty. He will send His Holy Spirit to give you comfort, to lift you up and carry you, and to provide strength and a renewed sense of hope for even your darkest hours. He cares about what you are going through because He has the Heart of the Caregiver. He is the original Caregiver. Your Caregiver and mine is the all-powerful, ever-present, omniscient King of the Universe! Wow, I think that’s AMAZING!
How has God made his presence known to you and demonstrated how much He cares for you, even when you have nothing left to give? How has He restored your hope? I hope you will join our conversation this week at Heart of the Caregiver and share your heart.
Heart of the Caregiver 