If you have a heart, you clearly know someone who provides care as a caregiver.  And unless you are one, most have no up-close awareness of what goes into caring for the common, everyday needs of someone who needs others to survive.

I remember

A few years ago, prior to my mother’s death, my brothers and I were in that situation.  We all worked our 8+ hour jobs, and although my mother “could” get around, it was clear that was nearing an end.  When the EMS teams spent so much time at her apartment helping her up when she had fallen, we realized something had to give.  Then when she fell, the last time, and was taken to the hospital, I realized it was time that nursing care was her next stop, and she would never return to her apartment.  It was difficult for my brothers and me to accept, but for her safety, it was the right thing to do.

And even though she received nursing care until her death in the Spring of 2021, we, her family, got to see up close what nursing care, for the most part, is all about.  The nurses, attendants, and other trained individuals do their best, even though they are overwhelmed most of the time.  There were days when I walked in and saw plenty of patients just sitting in the hallways in their wheelchairs.  This appeared to be typical.  Entering my mother’s room, I didn’t, generally, sense anything wrong.  She was always in bed and watching TV.  And in most cases, that is what folks do all day in many nursing homes.  They likely know they are never going to leave.

When my mother’s time came to be with Jesus, it was with the help of Hospice.  And even though my brothers and I saw it coming, when I received the call to come to see her for the last time, it was too late, and I missed her leaving this earth by minutes.

Families are love

Caregivers in a nursing facility have, in most cases, had some level of training.  But what about those people you know who take care of their own mother, father, brother or sister or grandparent?  Because of their love, they vow and find a way to care for them.  In my case, the professionals told us “Don’t think you can take care of your mother.  You work, and you shouldn’t feel guilty about that.  It takes a great deal of time, money, strength, and dedication to do what the professionals do.”  And they told us, as we might want to try, we could do more harm than good. Hygiene, bathing, bathroom visits, diaper changing and cleaning, feeding, mental disability, physical (lifting), are all things most don’t think about when they say, “I can take care of mom”.

Those who make this decision to be caregivers are saints in human garb.  “But for the grace of God go I”, is likely the term all of us can say, but when the day comes when we are on the other side and are the loved one, and not the caregiver, we’ll remember what it was like.

Recently, I was a guest of a friend who has taken on the role with the help of his siblings of taking care of their mother.  It reminded me of what would likely have been the kind of care my brothers and I would have taken on had we been the caregivers of my mother.  I watched the patience of my friend.  It was a reminder that caregivers are patient and, most of all, loving.   And unless you are one who provides care regularly, you just don’t know what is involved.

Prayers, prayers and more prayers

Since my mother’s death and at the encouragement of those who have taken on this title of “caregiver”, my prayers always include asking Jesus to look kindly on the world’s caregivers.  They are the true Face of Jesus.  Given the millions of people around the country and the world who need assistance to survive, prayers for them need to exponentially increase.  Remember, it’s not just getting dad or mom a drink of water or helping them stand up.  It’s the very personal life needs we all take for granted.  Think about it carefully when you think you know what is required of caregivers.  As I was reminded, a few years ago, I didn’t realize it until I was reminded of it in explicit detail.

I believe God has set aside a special place in heaven for caregivers.  They ARE The Face of Jesus.  Love them, respect them, give them a break with your help from time to time, but most of all, pray for them.  Because without them, “The Face of Jesus people” may not be there to take care of YOU someday.

Prayer:

O my Jesus, thank you for Your presence here on earth in the form of a caregiver.  Look lovingly on those who care for those who cannot care for themselves.

These angels care for and love without acknowledgement or praise.  When strength is needed, let them know You are at their side providing it.  When frustrating times require patience, allow them to look to You to shower Your grace on them.

Share Your wisdom with them when they need to learn what they don’t know to be a loving caregiver.  Grant them the foresight to know when they must say “I need help and then seek it from You and others”.

Though the road may be long, and the journey be difficult, please extend Your hand to them.  As they walk this journey, give them the necessary understanding to deal with difficult problems.  Bless them with strength as they provide the loving care needed when their days seem longer than the rest of ours.  And comfort them when their strength weakens, and they need a break.

There are days when the climb will be steep, when the valleys are low, and even those when the stream runs smoothly.  During all these times, they will need your prayerful and loving embrace.

Allow them to experience the empathy needed as they take time to listen to those who they care for, who only look for someone to listen to them when no one else will.

Jesus, your angels here on earth are setting aside part of their own lives in care of their loved ones.

Please care for them as they care for others.

In Your Holy Name we pray.

Amen.