I Could Have Missed This Gift

 
 

I could have missed the opportunity that has been the most meaningful experience in my 63 years.  "I'm no nurse, I could never take care of another's personal day to day necessities".
I meant it when I said it, but when faced with the reality of how much they need you, it became no choice at all.  It was what I needed to do.

Philippians 2:4
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.




I will never, ever find anything that filled me so completely as that time of caring for my parents. If my older sister had been living, she would have been the one to minister, and I would have missed out.  She left us way too soon, but she gave me a gift I can never repay.

We should never allow the cares of the world to overshadow the things that are most important—serving God through serving people, especially the people in our own families. The Bible says, "Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise—"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth" (Ephesians 6:2-3).

Taking care of an aged parent is simply repaying the love they gave us in our time of need with love in their time of need. The only motivation for this kind of repayment is love, nothing else will make it worthwhile. My children witnessed the joy I felt, and the compassion I gave to my parents and it made an impression on them. It is what you do, and if you can't do it with love, don't do it,  be an example for future generations.

 

Proverbs 22:6            
Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

 

Even to your old age and gray hairs

I am He, I am He who will sustain you. 

I have made you and I will carry you; 

I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Isaiah 46:4