A L O N E

                                                    A L O N E

Eileen Renders

There are times in our lives when we are alone, unmarried adults working and alone, divorced, or seniors who are widows or widowers. Some are healthy, happy, and living an independent life. Others, however, are physically challenged, financially burdened, and mentally experience feelings of being challenged and isolated. Some will have the security of good health insurance benefits in the latter part of their lives, and live out their last years in a Nursing home where their needs are being met.

Sadly, many others without adequate insurance benefits, sufficient income, or the ability to survive sufficiently on their own, have the added reality of being abandoned or isolated by their families. Those of us who have volunteered to visit a Nursing home and become visitors to one who has no family, or whose family members are unable to visit, have seen how much this means to those elderly people. Some are alone, and there are others who feel very much alone. If this sounds as though it is a sad scenario, it is!

God asks us to show kindness, empathy, and mercy to strangers. How, then, are we expected to care for our elderly parents? Although we may be raising children and working, life is not always easy. Alternatives would be to take the children and visit mom or dad at the Nursing Home during one of our days off work, or if at all possible, have them live with us.

Truly, I have seen and heard of many sad scenarios, and regardless of how burdened we are feeling, God will be with you to help you find a way to manage the responsibilities of a family member in need. All we need to do is go to God in earnest, sincere prayer. It has been said, “God does not give us more than we can bear.”

He hears our prayers and never leaves us alone in our times of distress or confusion.

God wants us to come to Him, to turn it over to Him in trust that He will see us through. God desires that we allow Him to become an intricate part of our lives. Only in this way will we be blessed and graced with the wisdom, joy, and confidence that only He can provide us with. “Love one another as I have loved you.”