Memories and Their Place

Today is Labor Day in the United States. It is a day when we honor with a day off from work those who labor faithfully at their jobs all year long. Unfortunately this is a day when some people still have to work especially store employees.

In my community the county fair runs from Friday through Monday, Labor Day, each year. I can remember years in the past when my husband and I would go to the fair walking through the animal barns and other exhibits with our children. My husband and I had both grown up on the farm as children, so we enjoyed exposing the farm animals to our children. Later as empty nesters my husband and I enjoyed going on our own to the county fair and just enjoying each others' company walking hand and hand.   

There have been other years when we attended the fair as well. One year was when my husband, Wayne, was in a wheelchair. Yes, other family members were with me helping me with Wayne; but somehow it was not as much fun. Then there were the last couple years after Wayne's death. I was with family, but it was not the same as it had been in former years.

Memories of holidays or other significant events can bring on a longing for former days. I think this is especially true for family caregivers. Caregivers and former caregivers would so like to turn back the clock and return to the days when our loved ones were healthy. The truth remains, however, that things do change. Sometimes we are thrust into changes and roles we do not desire. We don't understand the reason for why God has allowed these difficult changes in our lives. 

I think that is when trust and resting in the Lord needs to become our refuge. God does know what He is doing even when we do not understand. We do know that through all of life's events and especially in the difficult moments the Lord is refining us and maturing us to become more like Him. It is making us more aware of the need to depend on Him alone and giving to us the mind of Christ. It is increasing our faith and teaching us to give thanks in times of difficulty.

So dear caregiver, enjoy the memories of past days when your loved one was healthy. It is good to remember those days, as it gives perspective to your current situation by remembering the person your loved one was before he or she became ill. Yet also trust that the Lord is with you now and doing good things in your heart and in the heart of your loved one. Trust that there is a good future for you and your loved one even if that future is eternity for your loved one. God is good all the time, dear caregiver!