If you are caring for a loved one or friend, some day that will end. It may end with your loved one being cured of his or her disease. It may also end in the death of that loved one. When this happens it will begin a process of picking up the pieces of your life and finding new purpose in your life. This is something we do not wish to talk about, but it is often a part of the care-giving process. Hence, we need to discuss it.
Today I would like to link to an article in the recent October/ November Guideposts magazine. It features a a man who after 76 years of marriage lost his wife to Alzheimer's. It also touchingly portrays his ability to give all his grief and emotions to the Lord. Although he struggled at first after his wife's death, he seemed to eventually have found a place of peace. When his granddaughter asked him about the reason for the changes he said, "I give it all up to God. He takes care of me. I just gotta trust Him." Read his story by clicking the link below:
Then I am again also posting a link to an article that was published in Guideposts magazine a few years ago about my experiences the first months after my first husband's death. I had cared for Wayne for over four and a half years, and that time period was a huge transition for me. This article documents my journey to finding purpose in my life again. It is written in first person, but was actually written by a Guideposts author (even though I am a published author myself) after an extensive hour and a half interview with me. I also suggested changes and had input in the final copy. Although I would have changed the wording a few places, it certainly reflects my emotions and feelings at the time. Click on the link below to read it.
How about you and I? It has been said that grief always will be with us to a certain degree in the loss of a loved one. We especially feel more grief in times of stress. Years later we will still maintain elements of grief, even if we establish new relationships. Yet can we give it all to God in trust, although we do not always understand His ways?
Whether we are a current family caregiver, have lost a loved one for whom we cared for many years, or are facing another trial; we need to give it all to God. He can be trusted. He is the great God of the universe, and He cares for His children. There is a song which says, "I've got peace like a river." We can have that kind of peace no matter the severity of the trial.
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