Sunday, November 23, 2014

Thanksgiving and Family Care-giving

Family care-giving can be very discouraging especially when one’s loved one continues to deteriorate in his or her health.  It is difficult to find things for which to be thankful in such a scenario.  It seems impossible to have a thankful heart under such circumstances.

Yet a thankful heart opens up blessings from heaven and foretastes of heaven that cannot be attained in any other way.  A thankful heart further revives hope and allows us to communicate on a much more intimate level with the Lord.  A thankful heart does not deny the reality of life’s challenges, and care-giving certainly presents a host of problems and heartaches.  A thankful heart does, however, recognize the Lord’s presence and joy in the midst of those problems. 

So perhaps the best place to start, dear caregiver, is to thank the Lord each day for His presence and peace.  Also as you go through the day look for the Lord’s tiny treasures which He has placed on your path.  Look with spiritual eyes for His wonders in your life.  I remember as a caregiver being challenged to write down each day at least three things for which I was thankful that day.  That helped me immensely in persevering in the care-giving role. 

It is said that a thankful heart takes the sting out of trials and adversity.  Family care-giving often facilitates many challenges and trials.  Yet we are commanded in the Bible to give thanks in everything.  We may not always FEEL like giving thanks, but when we offer a SACRIFICE of thanks in spite of our feelings or circumstances God gives us joy in spite of our circumstances.  That does not mean we always feel happy.  Happiness and joy are not the same thing, but joy in the Lord and grief can coexist.  It may seem nonsensical to thank God in and for difficult circumstances, but in the measure that we do we will be blessed even as the adversities may remain.  Dear caregiver, thank the Lord today for His blessings!

In the United States we are celebrating Thanksgiving Day this week. It is a day when we especially try to remember to thank and praise God for the blessings of the past year. Care-giving is often challenging and difficult. Yet there are many blessings in our lives even in the difficult moments. Dear caregiver, thank the Lord for your blessings daily and not just on special occasions. It will lift your burdens and add joy to your life.



6 comments:

  1. I read a book several years ago that encouraged a person to look for their blessings... just as you are doing today. This practice has enriched my life so much. Thank you for the reminder. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  2. Thank you for your kind comments, Georgene. May the Lord bless your Thanksgiving day as well!

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  3. Thank you sister for sharing your experiences with us. I need to remember that I am not alone especially due to the fact that "the Lord will never leave us nor forsake us." Joshua 1:5
    I have had a 'blessings' folder in the midst of all my files on Huntington's Disease, medical staff, resources, disability, ... (as you know), which is helpful to put me back on track when I feel alone and overwhelmed. I like the idea of writing down 3 things I am thankful for each day and include it with my journal of blessings. Keeping a gratitude list is a gift in itself.
    God bless you and all of the other caregivers who minister to our loved ones.

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  4. Thank you, Patti, for your comments! According to my tracking according to the United States Postal service, my book has been delivered to you. I hope you find it a blessing. Have a great Thanksgiving!

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  5. I agree. The struggle is internal, and it is in winning that particular battle that we will reach an equilibrium between our thoughts and our deeds. We certainly wouldn't be of help, despite our best intentions, if we are a wreck ourselves and feel and act so defeated. Getting the proper assist in treatments or a decent home care serves to support the proper balance between act and heart, thus giving our loved ones latitude with which to heal. Thanks for sharing that!

    Michelle Simmons @ Comfort Keepers

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