A Message for Caregivers

Shana: This is Shana on Johnny Erickson Tada, sharing hope.
Joni Eareckson Tada: November marks National Family Caregivers Month. And believe me, I honor, I know I I couldn't survive without caregiving help cuz it's a non-stop 24-hour job. And you know, nearly 63 million Americans are serving as family caregivers. That's a 45% increase in the past decade. You know, Ken and I know a lot of other couples who are family caregivers, like our friends Mike and Mary Batus, who live in Florida. They've got seven adult children. One of them, Jessica, has profound disabilities, and two others also deal with lots of challenges. All three live with Mike and Mary. But wait, I should add there's a fourth who needs care. And that's Mary's mother in her 90s with failing health. Mike and Mary have never known a time when they weren't taking care of someone, especially Jessica, who is developmentally delayed. And recently, Mike wrote me saying, Johnny, our situation is not the result of blind fate. Rather, we live within God's plan for us. That said, it does not make things easier by any means. Caregiving wears us out body and soul. Our times are not our own. We no longer have the freedom to get up and go when or where we want. But this is a season God has given to us to serve our loved ones as Jesus loved us, giving ourselves away for the sake of others. We do not see ourselves as heroes or as victims. Rather, our desire is to be seen as faithful followers of our Savior. Do we wish things were different? All the time. Do we become discouraged? Certainly. So, we lean even more dependently on the Savior for strength and perseverance. And then Mike goes on to ask, what do we need? Most critical and often most difficult is the need for respite. Caregivers need to care for themselves to be able to care for others. I mean, think of that line, put on your own oxygen mask first and then help others. Time away is crucial for renewal and rest. But it's tough to work it out requiring outside help. This is where the community of Christ can lean in and offer assistance. And oh, do we need that help. We need courageous brothers and sisters in Christ to take the risk of coming alongside us to give relief. Shana, you know, I read that and my heart just breaks for Mike and Mary and for their three special needs children who require so much time and attention, so much love. They're entrenched in the demands every moment of the day. So, since this is family caregivers month, Ken and I are going to treat them. We're going to call a mutual friend, Amy, who lives in their community. We're going to give her a date and we're going to ask if there are any way she could stay with Jessica and her siblings for just a few hours. And you know what? She said yes. I mean, sometimes you just got to get the courage to ask. Next, we purchased a gift card at a very fancy restaurant. And then we wrote a note for Amy to give Mike and Mary. We said, Mike and Mary, get all dressed up, lay aside the worry, and expect our friend Amy to show up at your door on such and such a night so you can go out on the town and the treats on us. Friend, on this National Family Caregivers Month, maybe that'll give you an idea. Or think how you might put into practice the command of Galatians chapter six, bear one another's burdens. Families like Mike and Mary's need courageous brothers and sisters in Christ to take the risk of coming alongside them to give relief. Need ideas? Well, we've got a link for you at johnnyradio.org.