Our Caregiver by BJ Bassett #Devotional

 

Our Caregiver

 

Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 RSV

 

I’ve written about my husband’s Parkinson’s disease and being his caregiver. Parkinson’s is a progressive disease and caring for his needs also grew. At first, I could leave him for an hour or two once a week to have lunch with friends or do errands. Then it reached the point where I wasn’t comfortable leaving him alone. He was frail and could fall.

 

I was patient with him initially, but when he suffered from pneumonia and needed more assistance, he also lost more memory, asking me the same questions repeatedly. That’s when I became short-tempered with him. It was like caring for a three-year-old who asked why about everything. I was not only his wife; I’d become his mother and his nurse.

 

During this time, I realized that God is our Caregiver. He’s our Protector, Provider, Shepherd, Teacher, Father, and more. He is patient. He never becomes short-tempered with us. We can ask Him the same questions over and over again. He is always with us, caring for us.

 

Do you need your Caregiver today? Physically? Mentally? Emotionally? Spiritually?

 

My Father and Caregiver, it was a hard lesson to learn, but I think I’ve got it now. I appreciate your patience with me. Thank You for being my Caregiver. I am blessed. Amen.

Reprinted from

The King’s Daughters

B. J. Bassett

 

 

 

B. J. Bassett encourages others as an author, teacher and speaker. Her books include a contemporary novel, Gillian’s Heart; a historical novel Lily; Sweet Charity; A Touch of Grace—The G.R.A.C.E. Ministries Story; and coauthor of a children’s devotional My Time with God, Focus on the Family, Heritage Builders, with over 55,000 copies sold.

 

As a contributing writer, publications consist of Writer’s Handbook 2000, The Writer, and The Focus on the Family Guide to Growing a Healthy Home, Wolgemuth& Hyatt, Publishers, Inc.—consistently on Bookstore Journal’s Best-selling Christian Books List from November 1990 - February 1991, and voted the 10 Best Books for 1990 by Today’s Christian Woman.

 

Magazines, devotional booklets, curriculum and newspaper publishers include Focus on the Family, Woman’s World, The Quiet Hour, Pathways to God, Devotions, Harcourt Brace, WordAction, Gospel Publishing and Times Standard (newspaper).

 

She teaches writing workshops at Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, OR and at writer’s conferences. As a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries, she tells her story of rejection and acceptance, not only in life, but as a writer as well. She also offers book talks, including discussion questions and shares the journey -- from the seed of an idea to a published book.

 

Memberships: ACFW and Oregon Christian Writers (OCW).

 

She enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, munching warm scones oozing with butter and strawberry jam and sipping earl grey tea.