The Caring Church
I cringe when I see it on the sign. “The Caring Church.” My immediate reaction is, “Is there really one that doesn’t?” Then, when I come to my senses, I realize that though there are many churches who may not appear to care, we don’t know what goes on behind the scenes. God does.
As my husband has been battling cancer with chemotherapy, it has been interesting to see the Church at work.
His treatments are every other week and they leave him feeling pretty low for a few days that first week. But, he has really been pushing through. He has lost little time at work. He goes in a little later and comes homes a little earlier than he used to. Overall, he has kept up with his responsibilities. That can be exhausting for him.
As a family we have wondered how to minister to him, to care for him. He is not a “needy” patient but we know he has lost some energy and abilities to do things he has always done. It isn’t necessarily obvious if you only see him once a week.
We frequently hear from those who are praying for him, especially from our own congregation, but also from God’s people who worship at other places. We hear from those who have gone through a similar experience and know the toll it takes on the body and the struggle of those close to the patient to care for him in meaningful ways.
A couple of weeks ago, out of the blue, I received a card from an old friend. It was a card of encouragement for me as I minister to my husband. It lifted my spirits and made me realize that there are many who truly care about what is happening in our little family.
We have been grateful for the prayers and encouragement we have received through this illness. Cards, emails, and Sunday morning reminders that we are not forgotten have been very uplifting. We have seen that God’s Church does care.
Christmas reminds us of the great Joy God has given us in the gift of His Son. That does not mean that all earthly circumstances will be joyful or that we can expect everyone to understand our joy.
I have seen several social media posts pleading with us to remember how many people go into the Christmas holidays who are sick, depressed, or otherwise disappointed or discouraged in life. The holidays hold no joy for them. We are urged to consider them; to care for them this Christmas.
2 Corinthians 2:3-4, 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.
How has God comforted you in a way that you could pass it on to someone else? It is a great way to show we care.
Update: New PET scan shows no lymphoma in my husband’s chest!! #answeredprayer #thankGod