The Care Receiver's World: What Are They Thinking? - Living Free - May 5
The Care Receiver's World: What Are They Thinking?
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org
Scripture
"Who knows the thoughts that another person has? Only a person's spirit that lives within him knows his thoughts." 1 Corinthians 2:11 NCV
Thoughts for the Day
Are you caring for an aging parent or other loved one? If not now, perhaps you will in the future. People are living longer, and many middle-aged people find themselves providing care for parents, or even an aging aunt or uncle.
As you provide care or assistance for your parents (or another loved one), be sure to consider their perspective. Ask God to help you see things through their eyes. Doing so can help you be more sensitive to their needs and better know how to help.
Today's scripture makes it clear that we cannot know what another person is feeling or thinking. We need God's help to make us more sensitive and to better understand things—through our parents' eyes.
Consider this …
Don't assume you know how your parents are feeling. Ask God to help you. Then talk to your parents. Ask questions. As long as they are emotionally and mentally able, assure them that even though you will offer guidance and suggestions, they have the final say.
Sometimes we want to fix things. We see our parents getting older, needing help, and we want to make everything better for them. Our intentions may be good, but if we forge ahead without being sensitive to their point of view, we may miss helping them in the ways they need the most. We might focus on what to do in a situation to the point that we forget to find out what our parents want or feel.
Prayer …
Father, I want so much to help my parents. Help me to be more sensitive to their feelings and desires. Help me to see things through their eyes. And give me wisdom. In Jesus' name …
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