Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Consider the Needs of Others...

 


As a "sandwich generation" fifty-something woman,  I often felt claustrophobic near-panic when my grandchildren's or my aging mom's needs trumped my own. This sensation that my own needs might go unmet often expressed itself as paralyzing fear. Over the years I've found that if I will push through this kind of fear in prayer, I am often provided strength to serve the needs of others even when I feel weak. It usually takes the loving intercession of a praying friend  to get me over the fear barrier.  

It is instinctive, but not Scriptural, to take our own oxygen first, as the world's wisdom advises, but grabbing what we need to make space for ourselves robs the Lord of the opportunity to show us His miraculous generosity.  This is not to say that God won't sometimes instruct us to say "No," and He often gives the command to come apart and rest awhile. But we need not to make decisions out of our own sense of weakness before we inquire of the Lord.  Oftentimes strength for the journey is given along the way.  

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Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Luke 6:37-39 NIV

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4 NIV




2 comments:

  1. I appreciate your writing, both in the book and on this blog. I found your blog several years ago as I was anticipating the elder care I could see on the horizon. Now, in the midst of elder care and a spouse with a serious cardiac issue while working full time, I'm appreciating it all the more as you give voice to many of the same thoughts, concerns, and fears I've had. I especially appreciated this line above: "Oftentimes strength for the journey is given along the way."

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    1. Thank you Michelle, for taking time to comment. Prayers for you in your caregiving; you are in the midst of the battle right now! God bless you.

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