Being a caregiver is a tiring, challenging and demanding task, while caregiver burnout is a constant threat. In this series of posts, Bobbi Junior brings her unique perspective to bear on the subject of Christian caregiving.
Bobbi Junior is a contributor to our Christian internet radio station through her program entitled “Not Me Lord.”
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Jesus Was A Caregiver
We’re talking again today about understanding the role of the caregiver.
This exploration began when I realized that when Jesus was here on earth, he was a caregiver too. I wondered if his life could set an example of reasonable, sensible expectations in the lives of caregivers today.
To do this, I went back to the gospels and read them through the perspective of our own family fifteen years ago, when our teenage daughter broke her neck, and was left a quadriplegic.
Last week I pointed out how sometimes well-intentioned people can make things harder for a caregiver. And we talked about ways people who are far away can give support.
In reading the gospel of Mark, I was reminded of another aspect of caregiving.
People Turned to Jesus Because He Knew What To Do
Most of us are familiar with the story in Mark 4 where Jesus is sleeping in the boat as the disciples cross the lake. A terrible storm comes up, and they’re terrified they’ll die. Did they wonder if they should wake the Master, who was tired and needed his sleep?
Some didn’t because they practically rebuked him, saying, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
Jesus did care. He cared enough to be woken and deal with the trouble. Maybe the disciples could have muddled through and managed themselves, but Jesus knew what he was doing, and everyone, maybe even the storm, was relieved when he told the winds to be still.
Helpers Need Help Too.
This brings to mind an important point when supporting a caregiver. If you’re helping out and something goes wrong, never hesitate to call that caregiver for help. Even if they’re supposed to be getting a break, it would be worse for them to return to a problem that could have been averted had the person helping out made that call.
Caregivers are the experts with their recipient. Others may have similar experience, but it’s important to remember the caregiver and their recipient have figured out their routines through trial and error. While a helper can give ideas, don’t be offended if they don’t follow them. Trust that they know what they’re doing.
Draya and I gradually figured out what worked well for her. One day a doctor, seeing me do a procedure for her, asked if I was a nurse by profession. Draya responded, “Nope. She’s a mom. She has one patient, and she takes care of that patient very well.”
I was most encouraged!
Read previous posts here: Part 1, Part 2
Bobbi Junior
Read and hear more from Bobbi Junior on the contributor’s page. You can also find Bobbi at her website, The Reluctant Caregiver, at bobbijunior.com
Bobbi’s program, “Not Me Lord” airs on HopeStreamRadio.
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Images:
Jesus Calms The Storm: Ludolf Backhuysen
Nurse: Wikihow
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