The Race You Cannot Lose

I recently viewed a short video that touched my heart as a former caregiver.  In fact it had me crying.  Picture with me in your imagination a man pushing a younger disabled man in a wheel chair.  They appear to be participating in some kind of race. The older man is running down the road at a quick rate of speed.  Next after swimming some distance the older man is seen lifting the disabled man out of a boat, carrying him some distance and then transferring him to the front of a bike for two.  He then proceeds to vigorously bike down some trails with the disabled man as his passenger.  During the last part of the race the older man is again seen pushing the disabled man to the finish line.  They are both aglow with victory, as they cross the finish line.  The video then ends with Philippians 4:13 which reminds us that we can do everything God asks of us in Christ's strength.  All through the video the music is also reminding us that we can know our Redeemer lives.

The video brought to my remembrance days of pushing my husband in a wheelchair and days of caring for him in other ways.  The days were exhausting physically and emotionally, but my Lord was with me all the way.  Dear caregiver, care-giving is a difficult race.  Be assured, however, that the Lord is with you all the way.  Your Redeemer lives; and He is with you, dear caregiver. 

Someday the care-giving race will be over.  Both you and your loved one will experience victory.  Your loved one who was ill or disabled may be cured on this earth, and you may both be rejoicing in that blessing.  Perhaps also your loved one will only be healed in eternity, and he or she may be running into the arms of Jesus.  You will be rejoicing for them also in that scenario.  Yet you will be grieving their loss to you on this earth.  In that scenario do not engage in the "could haves" or "should haves" of what you could or should have done in your loved one's care.  It was the homecoming day for your loved one ordained by God Himself.  You were chosen to care for your loved one for awhile and to help to bring him or her to the end of his or her life's race into the very arms of Jesus.  Now your care-giving race is over, but you have other life races to run until God calls you home.

Dear care-giver, you are still running the race of caregiver.  It is a difficult race, but also think of it as a glorious race blessed by the Lord Himself who loves you and your loved one with a perfect and eternal love.  Persevere, dear caregiver.  No matter what happens you cannot lose this race!

I have posted a link to this video below.  Hopefully you can see it.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=688619337849092
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