Being Cared For

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay 

My readings this morning included Mark 5:22-43, the story of Jesus healing the daughter of Jarious, one of the rulers of the synagogue. The last verse illustrated His compassion and care for our human condition. “… and [He] commanded that they give her something to eat.” He not only brought her back to life, He understood she’d probably be hungry.

I see a similar concern for my welfare. As I have mentioned in other posts, my young adult years were hard. However, God promised me the last half of my life would be better than the first.

When I first started dating my current husband, my sister told me, “I think God has saved the best for last.” My daughter said, “Mom, I think God sent Bill to help you heal.”

They were both right.

My current husband is the first who is not only capable of protecting me in a physical sense, (he is a retired police officer), he also shoulders more of the household responsibilities. In my other relationships, I took care of all the finances, the care of the children, and the house. This time, my husband handles the bills and many of the business calls. He also shares the household chores. I am an active partner in all the decisions, but I don’t have to carry all the day-to-day responsibility.

I concede his training has a lot to do with my deferring some things to him. It’s hard for people to push him around. He has a way of removing the excuses and run around some professionals use with me. Second, he isn’t squeamish when it comes to caring for someone who is ill or recovering from surgery, but the biggest change? He has encouraged me to have my own opinions, to stand up for myself and not let others push me around, not even him, and to pursue things I love. If he sees an issue, he discusses it, while allowing me to express my point of view.

This has helped me become a better, stronger person, while at the same time having a partner to lean on when I need added strength and encouragement. He genuinely cares for me in the same vein as Jesus cared for Jarious’ daughter. Of course, God is my ultimate protector and care giver, but He has blessed me with an earthly counterpart for which I am very thankful.

My devotions also answered a question I’ve struggled with for some time. If you love your enemies, do you have to stay close to them, allowing them to hurt you repeatedly?

Kristen Armstrong wrote in Living Faith: “A professor explained to me that emotional forgiveness is similar to the forgiveness of a loan from a bank. We cease demanding payment from the debt we believe is owed to us. We let it go. However, the bank will not loan that person money again.”

I’m not required to loan them my emotions or companionship, only my forgiveness.

Thank you, Lord, for these insights, for your care and concern,, and for the blessing you've given me in my husband. Amen.