Showing God's Kindness - Caregivers

We’ve been talking about four ways the church can show God’s kindness to people with special needs and their families based on the story of King David and Mephibosheth (2 Samuel  9:1-13).  The first three kindnesses are life, hospitality and nourishment.  In verse 9 we see that the fourth kindness was King David’s care for Mephibosheth’s family.  

⁹Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s steward, and said to him, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. ¹⁰You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.”

David originally inherited this land when he succeeded Saul to the throne. Now that Mephibosheth was known to be a rightful heir, David returned the land to him as a source of livelihood for Mephibosheth’s family.

Being a caregiver for someone with special needs is often a 24 / 7 responsibility.  It is a labor of love, but a labor nonetheless.  It can be all consuming with no end in sight.  Many care givers feel overwhelmed by the impact of a normal day’s activities on their physical, emotional and spiritual resources.

Consequently, many families with special needs don’t have a church home or attend worship services on a regular basis.  In addition to feeling unwelcome, quite often the burden on the caregiver will be increased rather than eased.  New environments create new challenges and new stresses.  As a result, the gospel is not reaching these families.  If they know Christ, they don’t have opportunities to grow in their faith, develop their spiritual gifts or participate in fellowship as active members of the Body of Christ. 

What kindnesses could we show to caregivers of special needs individuals?  How could our church be better prepared to befriend, encourage and provide practical helps to caregivers?

There’s no, “One size fits all” solution when it comes to ministering to caregivers.  We can’t “fix things”.  We can build relationships, come along side of people and be open to ways in which we can serve them.  We can make a meal, offer to stay with the care receiver while the caregiver gets a few hours off, or provide an activity at church so the caregiver can attend worship or go to a class.

Our daughter Sarah and her family were attending a large church when our granddaughter Kate was born with Down Syndrome.  Although Sarah had been assisting with a Sunday School class (a class for special needs children, as God would have it) she wasn’t well known.  Yet one morning Sarah received a phone call from the pastor’s wife.  She said, “Sarah, we know a young woman named Abby. She is a registered nurse and has a brother with Down Syndrome.  Abby heard about you and would like to volunteer her time to baby sit for Kate and your other children.  When you are ready, why don’t you give Abby a call and see if she can be a help to you?

    

“Abby the angel” has been a god send.  These kindnesses – shown by Abby and the pastor’s wife – have made a big difference in Sarah’s life as a caregiver and a mom.

You can make a difference too.


Comments?  Suggestions?  Come along side.  Side by Side, we'll grow together.