National Family Caregiver Month

Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a story about caregiving.

Dwight and Dawn are a couple who are living out what it really means to hold fast to your wedding vows. Dawn has multiple sclerosis, lots of allergies, and she just learned she has arterial stenosis which could lead to heart failure. She is a beautiful woman and you would never guess she deals with all these health problems, but she and her husband understand what it means to love each other for better or for worse, as well as in sickness and in health.

At times, though, Dwight confesses that he feels so overwhelmed. I mean, there are lots of care routines that Dawn has to go through every day, and their times with other couples are always a little challenging. Dawn simply cannot do; she can’t keep up with everyone else. It’s hard on her, yes, but it’s also hard on her husband Dwight.

This couple is convinced that God has not abandoned them. On the contrary, God has allowed these many challenges to prove to Dwight and Dawn that yes, his power really will show up in their weakness, come on. That God is their ever-present help in trouble; that his grace really is sufficient for every need. Those truths present a test to Dwight and Dawn every time her MS encroaches a little or flares up, but they continue to hold fast. It’s what Christian caregivers and their spouses do.

This is what families were designed for, especially Christian families. The Christian family showcases to the world that sacrificial service is normal service. Followers of Jesus are supposed to give, even when it hurts, especially when it hurts. We serve, even when we are tired or weary. Christ calls us to look out for others’ interests before our own – the world sure doesn’t do that. But if we do feel like we are put upon, then we find our example in Jesus who “learned obedience through the things He suffered” just like it says in Hebrews. Gilbert Meilaender wrote that “Families would not have the significance they do for us if they did not, in fact, give us claim upon each other. We do not come together as autonomous individuals freely contracting with each other. No, we simply find ourselves thrown together and asked to share the burdens of life while learning to care for each other.” Wow! What a great definition of a Christian family.

Yes, it’s hard and yes, people like Dwight and Dawn need help. I pray their little church continues to help. In fact, you may be a caregiver (or a care receiver) and if you are having a tough time, too, I don’t blame you. It’s hard on a couple living with a disability. But this is National Family Caregivers Month, and I want to give you great encouragement today. If you are receiving or giving care, you just have to visit my radio page today at joniradio.org and you simply must take a minute to enjoy this amazing little video by my friend Katherine Wolf who recorded it recently. Katherine survived a terrible brain stem stroke and oh, what a ministry she and her husband Jay have to caregiving friends like Dwight and Dawn. Katherine says some amazing things, so stop by joniradio.org and be blessed, be inspired, then please share the video message with your Facebook friends.

Finally, because Dwight really loves Dawn, he will bear her burdens and thus fulfill the law of love. Because God has set him quite the example in Psalm 68 where it says, “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” Oh friend, if God can bear our burdens, we can bear each other’s. So stop by joniradio.org today to enjoy that video and see a photo I’ve posted of beautiful Dawn and her amazing husband Dwight.

© Joni and Friends