Love Others As We Love Ourselves : Faith in Caregiving
As a caregiver, it's important to show love and compassion to those in your care. This Bible reflection and meditation guide offers tips on how to express love and patience while caring for others, and ends with a prayer for guidance in this journey.
Love Others As We Love Ourselves : Faith in Caregiving Segment
BIBLE REFLECTION
Matthew 22:36-40 NIV
“’Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’”
Think of a time when you have loved another as much as you love yourself.
MEDITATION
As time went on, a way I cared for and loved my parents was by touching base with their many doctors. By asking questions and listening, I understood how to keep them as healthy as possible. Then there were the times my mother or stepfather had to go to the ER. It was a labor of love choosing to be a patient, alert advocate while we waited until all tests came back, decisions were made, and a hospital room was ready. Now looking back, I am glad I was able to thank my parents for their love by caring for them when they needed me most.
There are many ways one can express love for the person being cared for:
– by remembering to use the words “please” and “thank you”;
– by listening again and again to the antidote they’ve told you at least a hundred times before;
– by taking a deep breath and counting to 10 before you speak as your patience wears thin;
– by just smiling as your eyes meet theirs;
– by remembering “this too shall pass” and desiring to share joy even as every bone in your body aches with tiredness;
– by reaching up to God with this simple prayer offered under your breath… “Come, Lord Jesus! Be present in this place.”
YOUR JOURNAL
How will you show your love for the person you care for today?
TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord of Love, thank you for this New Commandment. As I strive to love you, teach me to be obedient, bless me with the gift of patience, especially when mine runs thin, Lord, and show me how to be compassionate this day and every day. I pray in the name of Him who gave his life for me. Amen
Above is from the book, Holding One With God, by Veronica Kelly Badowski
The post "Love Others As We Love Ourselves: Faith in Caregiving" is an insightful reflection that delves into the essence of caregiving through the lens of Christian faith, particularly focusing on the teachings of Jesus Christ as recorded in the book of Matthew 22:36-40. It begins by citing a pivotal moment where Jesus summarizes the entire law into two fundamental commandments: to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind, and to love one's neighbor as oneself. This dual commandment serves as the foundation for the reflection and its application in the context of caregiving.
Caregiving, as described in the post, is portrayed as an act of love that transcends ordinary responsibilities. It's about embodying the second greatest commandment, "Love your neighbor as yourself," through practical, everyday actions. The reflection shares personal experiences of caring for aging parents, highlighting the challenges and blessings that come with being a caregiver. It emphasizes that caregiving is not just about performing tasks but involves deep emotional engagement, patience, compassion, and a willingness to serve despite the personal cost.
The meditation section offers profound insights into the nature of love in the caregiving context. It suggests various ways to express love, such as using polite language, listening patiently, managing one's emotions, sharing moments of joy, and maintaining a spiritual connection through prayer. These actions are not just duties but are framed as expressions of love that honor the dignity of the person being cared for and reflect a deep faith in God's presence and guidance.
The post encourages readers to reflect on their caregiving experiences and to consider how they can show love to those they care for in their daily actions. It concludes with a prayer asking for God's help to love more fully, to have patience, and to show compassion, invoking the example of Jesus as the ultimate model of love and sacrifice.
This reflection serves as both a guide and an encouragement for caregivers, offering them a spiritual framework to understand and enrich their caregiving journey. It reminds readers that at the heart of caregiving is the Christian call to love others as we love ourselves, making every act of care a reflection of God's love for humanity.
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Diane Carbo
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Books By Veronica Badowski :
God Thoughts for Busy People 365 days of Meditation
Treading Water with God, Lessons in Love While Caregiving
Holding on with God:Encouragement for the Caregiver
Want more inspirational posts? Here is a link to Faith in Caregiving series
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