When a Caregiver Gets Sick

 He gives us strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” —Isaiah 40:29–31

What happens to those being cared for when the caregiver is sick?  This is something that we don't think about until it happens but when it does it isn't pretty.  I always say, "I am not allowed to be sick or feel bad."  In actuality that is true for most caregivers, for they must continue on and make sure things get done. 

One example of this would be our family's last vacation where my husband and I both became very sick with sinus infections.  We both sought help at a local urgent care and were both placed on high power antibiotics and encouraged to rest.  Well, for a heart patient this was twice as serious and my husband felt twice as bad which meant he rested in the hotel room for 2 days.  We even tried to cancel our trip but were told we would lose our money, so we stuck it out. 

For three days I took my antibiotics and pain meds and walked around amusement parks and even spent one day at a water park all for the sake of my 11 year old who was supposed to be celebrating her birthday!  I was miserable and don't remember parts of it, which is a little scary, but I did what I had to do.  That's what caregivers do... even when they're sick.

By Thursday of our week's vacation my husband and I were both a little better and were able to salvage the last few days.  I learned a lot that week.  I learned that caregivers never really get a vacation but I wouldn't have done it any differently even if given the chance.  I take care of my family better than anyone else ever will and there are lots more vacations in our future. 

Ready for Rain

1 Kings 18:41-19:8

Elijah Prays for Rain

41 Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go get something to eat and drink, for I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!”

42 So Ahab went to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees.

43 Then he said to his servant, “Go and look out toward the sea.”

The servant went and looked, then returned to Elijah and said, “I didn’t see anything.”

Seven times Elijah told him to go and look. 44 Finally the seventh time, his servant told him, “I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea.”

Then Elijah shouted, “Hurry to Ahab and tell him, ‘Climb into your chariot and go back home. If you don’t hurry, the rain will stop you!’”

45 And soon the sky was black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm, and Ahab left quickly for Jezreel. 46 Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt[a] and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel.

It was imperative that I include this entire section of scripture in order to really bring my point home. Today I began to prepare for a something that won't happen until three weeks from now.  Even though I don't know the final outcome I believe God is saying yes and continuing to confirm what is ahead.  So I am acting as if it is already decided and I am moving forward.

One of my dearest friends called me today and when I told her what I was doing she didn't laugh but instead said, "You are being like Elijah. You are just preparing for the rain which God has promised!" What a blessing this comment was to my heart for I struggle daily with doubts and fears about the future and what God truly wants for me.  

Elijah must have looked pretty foolish as he proclaimed the rain was coming and that Ahab was to go ahead and prepare when not one cloud filled the sky.  How odd it had to have been to the servant who went SEVEN times to look for a rain cloud until finally one was found.  What an amazing example Elijah is for me as he never doubted but instead spent his time in preparation and in the end we see that, "the Lord gave special strength to Elijah." I want that same strength and know God will give it if I only ask.

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

This scripture in its entirety hangs in my daughter's room as a reminder of who she is in the eyes of the King of Kings.  She was created and designed to be unlike anyone else on the planet so that she alone could accomplish works for the Master which no one else could ever do quite like her.  The very things she feels are her "problems" are in fact what makes her even more fearfully and wonderfully made.

She has always been small in size, which to many was seen from her very beginning as a negative.  On the contrary God has used her size to her advantage.  Because she is petite people take notice when they hear her speak for her intellect far exceeds her years.  They ask her how old she is which gives her an audience and a platform to be heard.  What may have been seen as a negative God uses as the very thing which attracts people into her arena of attention.

She prefers working alone and hates large crowds of people.  "Oh, this is not good for her." we have heard over the years.  "She needs to be with other kids more!" is another we have grown to ignore.  The fact is that God created in her a personality which thrives from independent work which He then uses in amazing one-on-one ways.  The fact is she likes all age people.  Her best friend this summer was a 75 year old woman at the pool who she talked with and exchanged gifts with.  She also loves small children and they love her back.  And don't get me started on her numerous "college aged" friends who adore her.  She asked me one day why people thought all her friends had to be her age and I told her I wasn't sure. 

She doesn't like athletics.  Now, in her defense she has tried soccer, cheer-leading, and volleyball at some point throughout her childhood only to discover none of these activities gave her heart joy.  She is a creative spirit who loves pottery, baking, collecting crazy things, crafting, painting, and more.  She's also incredibly talented at creating video tutorials on just about anything. What I love is that unlike most kids her age, she shares the things she creates or bakes with others in our apartment building or neighborhood.  Now that's special.

And finally there's having Tourette Syndrome.  To learn more about this visit this link http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/tourette/index.html.  Due to this disorder she has involuntary "tics" or movements.  As well as the physical issues that accompany this disorder she also combats things such as anxiety and obsessive compulsive behaviors.  And due to the anxiety and not to mention having a dad who has fought for his life against heart failure for the past 9 years, she has separation anxiety which she is constantly made fun of for from others.  The way in which she handles all this is just incredible.  She has overcome great odds. But what's hard are those who don't know how to handle it.  When family and educators don't "get it" it can cause great pain for her which stays with her.  Being made fun of because of things you cannot help is heartless and should never happen, but it has.  I believe that God will use her pain and being misunderstood by so many as a catalyst for helping others with Tourette Syndrome in the future.

So I end today by saying that God allows me to raise young lady who I know He will continue to use in BIG ways.  I also pray that she understand HE thinks she is fearfully and wonderfully made and because of that His love and support is eternal.