“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another" (1 Peter 4:10 NLT).
When I was 14, I signed up to be a Candy Striper at our town’s hospital. For all those below the age of sixty-five, let me explain exactly what a Candy Striper is and does. A Candy Stripers’ duty was to volunteer each week to help the nurses with things like making sure patients had fresh water, beds were changed, food trays were delivered, and sometimes even bed baths were given.
My mom was a nurse at the hospital, and I wanted to be like my momma. I enjoyed helping people, but at the same time, I found I had no desire to become a nurse. God had given me the gift of serving, but I found jobs in customer service and working as an administrative assistant were more in my lane for using my gift.
But then, in 2014, an emergency room visit with my mom revealed that previous cancer had returned and was now in her brain. I brought her home with me, and for forty-seven days, I found myself doing things I thought I was not capable of doing. My spiritual gifts of serving were used with my sweet Momma and ensuring her last days on earth were filled with knowing how much she was loved. Now, I serve as a caregiver to my sweet husband, who has Lewy Bodies disease.
Serving others is scriptural, and we can genuinely use the gifts God has instilled in us to do so. As a caregiver, you must also know how to take care of yourself. Doing so will make you more capable of caring for the ones you love. God has given me a servant’s heart, and He has also shown me how to take care of myself.
Have you ever found yourself serving in a way you didn't expect?
When I was 14, I signed up to be a Candy Striper at our town’s hospital. For all those below the age of sixty-five, let me explain exactly what a Candy Striper is and does. A Candy Stripers’ duty was to volunteer each week to help the nurses with things like making sure patients had fresh water, beds were changed, food trays were delivered, and sometimes even bed baths were given.
My mom was a nurse at the hospital, and I wanted to be like my momma. I enjoyed helping people, but at the same time, I found I had no desire to become a nurse. God had given me the gift of serving, but I found jobs in customer service and working as an administrative assistant were more in my lane for using my gift.
But then, in 2014, an emergency room visit with my mom revealed that previous cancer had returned and was now in her brain. I brought her home with me, and for forty-seven days, I found myself doing things I thought I was not capable of doing. My spiritual gifts of serving were used with my sweet Momma and ensuring her last days on earth were filled with knowing how much she was loved. Now, I serve as a caregiver to my sweet husband, who has Lewy Bodies disease.
Serving others is scriptural, and we can genuinely use the gifts God has instilled in us to do so. As a caregiver, you must also know how to take care of yourself. Doing so will make you more capable of caring for the ones you love. God has given me a servant’s heart, and He has also shown me how to take care of myself.
Have you ever found yourself serving in a way you didn't expect?
Posted in Serving Others
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8 Comments
I remember when my elderly uncle needed help around the house, cleaning and cooking meals. When I was a kid, I always admired how active and strong he was. He did not want to accept my help at first, but he finally did. I am so glad I helped him the last few years of his life.
Yes Debbie, I understand how hard it is to accept help. You want to handle it all yourself! Or you think you SHOULD be able to! But we must allow people to help us. That's what God wants us to do, serve others.
Accepting help was also so hard for me Marge. People would try and I'd say, I got this, I'm okay. I've just now learned to say thank you and praise God for each blessing of service offered to me.
Yes Debbie, I understand how hard it is to accept help. You want to handle it all yourself! Or you think you SHOULD be able to! But we must allow people to help us. That's what God wants us to do, serve others.
Did I say Marge? She must be on my heart. Thank you Susan
Yes Debbie, I understand how hard it is to accept help. You want to handle it all yourself! Or you think you SHOULD be able to! But we must allow people to help us. That's what God wants us to do, serve others.
Accepting help was also so hard for me Marge. People would try and I'd say, I got this, I'm okay. I've just now learned to say thank you and praise God for each blessing of service offered to me.
Yes Debbie, I understand how hard it is to accept help. You want to handle it all yourself! Or you think you SHOULD be able to! But we must allow people to help us. That's what God wants us to do, serve others.
We should be empty nesters. We should be enjoying quiet dinners, traveling and be more financially secure. Instead we have found ourselves raising a second batch of children while also helping care for aging parents.
Laura, bless you my friend. I can certainly feel your response. I thought we would be out on adventures too. God will bless us for choosing to care. Hugs
Self-care is so important when you are spending most of your time caring for others. Bless you and I pray that you have a little time for yourself as well.
Thank you Barbara, I continue to carve out tiny bits of me time