Life Support for the Hurting Hearts on Hospice

A friend reached out to me recently to let me know her mother is being placed on hospice. I've known this friend and her mother almost all of my life. We met the first day of kindergarten and have been linked in some way ever since. Our mothers used to be best friends, too. 

I feel sad that my friend's mother is not doing well. I mourn the loss of the warm, vibrant woman she used to be. My friend's mom was a playground aide when we were in elementary school, and then she worked at McDonald's. I remember playing at my friends' house and her mom always had a smile and a kind word. She is one of the nicest, most loving people I've ever known. It breaks my heart that her health is failing. 

Selfishly, I cannot help but feel deep, profound sadness for other reasons, as well. I mourn the loss of the relationship with my own parents. I know it's for the best, and I don't regret severing the relationship one bit. I do, however, mourn again the loss of what could have been, had they not be toxic and abusive. I will not be taking care of my parents in their old age the way my friend is caring for her parents. All the worries surrounding their health - or lack of it, belong to someone else now. 

It is an honor far more than it is a burden to care for people who are hurting, weak, afraid, dying. It is an honor to pray for such people as well. Such a heavy load upon one's heart is easily carried by our Lord, yet feels heavy at the time to each of us when we try to hold onto it.

Sometimes I think we hold onto it like a badge of honor. "Look at how much hurt I can carry. I'm strong!" But in reality, pain depletes us. It's like a hole punched in a bucket, and our strength runs out the very bottom of it, while we're holding our heads high and proud. Let Jesus plug the hole. And then hand Him the bucket. He'll hand us back what we need from it. 

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." 

+Matthew 5:4 (ESV) 

 

Dig into your Bibles when you're sad, Brothers and Sisters. Let the Lord speak to you. Let the Lord bless you, comfort you and give you peace. 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

+2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV)

Stay tuned for another episode.See you next time! And remember, if you or a loved one is in danger, get help immediately, and don't stop talking until someone acts on your words.

National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 800-799-7233 Hours: 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish, and 200+ through interpretation service. SMS: Text START to 88788

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 Hours: Available 24 hours. https://www.rainn.org/

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. https://988lifeline.org/

In Christ alone our hope is found

Run, don't walk for help! You're worth it.