Christian Caregiving Part 2

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.

Christian Caregiving

Read Part 1 here.

Jesus Helped From A Distance

Many of us have a loved one in need of care, but we’re too far away to easily provide hands-on help. Jesus ran into this situation, too.

Matthew 8:10  A centurion came to Jesus, asking for help for his servant, who lay at home, paralyzed. Jesus offered to come, but the centurion felt Jesus could help from a distance. Jesus could, and did, healing the servant, and impacting lives in the process.

But can we do this? Yes. First and foremost we can pray.

Prayer From A Distance

Prayers are not limited by proximity. Never forget that. Within hours of Draya’s accident, she and our family were on 11 different prayer chains from Canada to the US to England and even Germany.

It began when the x-ray of her fractured spine came across a radiology technician’s desk. The young woman recognized Draya’s name, and called home. Later her mother told me what had transpired. “Mom,” Gina said, “I know I could lose my job for breaking confidentiality, but God’s law is higher. You have to put Draya on the prayer chain. I’ve got her x-ray in front of me. She’s got 2 crushed vertebrae in her neck. She might not survive.”

That call set off a chain reaction, and in a matter of minutes heaven was being bombarded with prayers on behalf of our family. Draya did survive. And eventually she thrived. God heard, and listened.

More Assistance From A Distance

Are there other ways to help from a distance? Absolutely.

Money is always needed. Caregiver expenses mount up in ways you can’t imagine until you’re in the situation. Someone sent us gift cards for fast food restaurants. This allowed my husband to pick up a meal on his way home, and he and our son could eat while I stayed at the hospital.

Someone else organized her church group to chip in and cover the cost of a cleaning service to come to our home twice a month for the next little while.

Lawyers and Appointments

A relative did some research, then contacted three lawyers in our city and set up appointments with each. He knew we’d need legal representation for the insurance claim that was sure to come, and this allowed us to choose someone we felt we could work with.

My brother visited a few months after Draya had come home. He knew through an earlier conversation that we had need of a shed. He arrived, tools in hand. He and my husband picked up the supplies, at my brother’s expense. They completed that shed in the next few days, before he went back home.

Help from a distance? Absolutely. We were blessed.

Do you have a story about caring for someone? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.

Read Part 1 here.