6 Lessons From My Father That Helped Me as a Caregiver

Look to scripture.

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For more than fifty-five years, my father’s practice is to read through the entire Bible each year. From the King James version to The Message, Dad continues to inundate himself with the Word of God—and in doing so has developed an astonishing ability to connect any circumstance faced today with a precept or principle address in the Bible. With his assurance, I grew to understand that God did not leave us to face uncertainties not specifically addressed in the Bible. I recall many time where I struggled trying to determine God’s provision and allowing of my wife to struggle with nearly eighty operation, the amputation of both legs, and relentless pain. Scouring the Bible, I found barely any reference to the circumstances I faced, and heart sunk at the lack of directions as I journeyed through the valley of the shadow of death; a valley extending beyond the horizon. Inspired by his unswerving confidence in the authority of Scripture, I gained a new perspective. Instead of looking for answers addressing my specific challenges, I saw the precepts and a bigger picture. Seeing the totality of Scripture, I came to recognize that our Savior understands my role as a caregiving husband of a wounded bride in ways I never anticipated. He loves His own wounded bride—the Church. Equipped with that insight, I regularly encounter new passages of great comfort, and familiar verses continually come alive in ways never noticed before. My father helped me take my greatest despair to God’s word where I found solace, companionship, and strength to continue facing the challenges of serving as a caregiver.