CAREGIVING WITH LOVE

¹² “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12 (NKJV)

³⁷ Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and great commandment.   ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40 (NKJV)

¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11 (NKJV)

These are foundational scriptures that can be applied to caregiving, emphasizing unconditional and unselfish love even when it’s difficult while caregiving. They remind us to prioritize God’s commandments over desires that don’t honor Him.

We are called to adhere to God’s ways, even if they differ from our own. It’s important to remember that His ways and thoughts are above ours. Therefore, we must pray and seek God’s guidance to align our minds and hearts with His.  In the scriptures, we see that Jesus was displeased with those who chose not to provide for their parents but instead tried to make it look like they were giving everything to God.  God is not fooled by our antics.  He sees right through them and His Word stands.  “Not my will but your will be done in my life, God!” This act of seeking God’s guidance is not just a duty, but a source of reassurance and guidance in your caregiving journey, providing you with the confidence that you are on the right path.

Even while He was on the Cross, Jesus was concerned about His mother’s well-being and that she would be taken care of.  He even made arrangements for her care and welfare.  He made the arrangement clear and apparent to His mother and His disciple, John.  That is an example to us all.  We are to make arrangements and resources for the care and provisions of our parents whether we are alive if/when they need it or we have passed on.  We are to make it clear to our parents and their potential caregivers so that the parents will have that security and the potential caregivers will be aware and accepting of their responsibilities. 

When we make decisions and take actions based on our own selfish will rather than God’s will, we can set ourselves up for disappointment and even disaster. God’s will in caregiving is to show love, respect, and compassion to those we care for, just as He has shown us.  When we go against God’s will and instructions, we displease God. We enter into sin.  We can become unfaithful, selfish, irresponsible, undependable, vengeful, and full of bitterness.      

God has given us the Word and the roadmap to give love and live love.  God is love.

First, He loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  Did you get that?  Because God loved, He gave.  He has shown us by example.  He gave the most precious thing He had! His Son!  His Son, Jesus, loved us so much that He was the Atonement for our sins and willingly gave His life so that we who believe, confess, and accept Him as Lord have a right to eternal life.  When we submit to God through the Holy Spirit, God guides us in the ways of love, even when we may be hesitant.

We are to live the life on earth that God has instructed us to in His Word.  We are to submit ourselves under the mighty Hand of God in every area of our lives.  That includes caregiving.  Read and obey His Word.  Follow His example.  Be open and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in your caregiving decisions and duties.  Pray and ask God to help you through the rough patches where your love walk does not reflect Him. Remember, God’s example is not just a guide, but an inspiration to emulate His love and compassion in your caregiving.

If our first impulse is not to demonstrate love in action, don’t submit to that temptation.  Recognize the thought pattern and the condition of your heart.  Pray and repent to God for having selfish, unloving thoughts.  Ask for His forgiveness.  Tell Him of your desire to be a loving caregiver.  Ask Him to lead you and guide you along the path of love that is pleasing in His sight for that situation.  Decide to be obedient to God’s Word and example.  Walk it out step by step in your life.

AFFIRMATION (SAY IT):

I love the Lord, my God, with all my heart, soul, and mind.  I love my neighbor as myself.  I honor my mother and father, and my days will be long.

ENCOURAGEMENT (BECOME AFFIRMATION; SEE IT; WALK IN IT)

Visualize yourself extending love to your loved one, daily reflecting God’s love in 1 Corinthians 13.  Write down what you see.  Now, walk that out.