Spiritual Care: A Guide for Caregivers by Judith Allen Shelly Read Free Book Online Page A

serving him, and look where it
gets you."
    Fran paused, then began to sob. "I feel so useless! I'm beginning to think my whole relationship with God was based on what
I could do for him. I was afraid to let him do anything for me. I
know we can't earn our salvation, but I sure was trying hard to do
it. It's so hard to just sit here and trust God to work, but that's all I
can do."
    Although Fran's admission was painful for both Fran and
Ginny, it was the turning point in her healing. Fran began to realize that she needed counseling to deal with long-covered wounds
from her childhood and her missionary experience. She began to
learn how to receive from others, and she learned new ways of
caring. When she finally returned to the classroom, her teaching
was enhanced by her experience with weakness.
    How can you get beyond the fear factor in meeting spiritual
needs? Get started! Once you take the plunge, each step gets easier.
    ❑ Find a prayer partner. Pray together regularly. Share what you
are learning from Scripture and how it applies to your daily life.
    ❑ Join a small Bible study or prayer group. Learn to share your
own spiritual struggles, as well as listening to others.
    ❑ The next time someone asks you to pray about a concern, ask,
"May I pray for you right now?" You can even do that over the
phone.
    ❑ When someone asks, "Why did God allow this to happen?" follow up on the question. You don't have to provide the correct
answer-only God knows that. Ask more about what your friend is feeling and how that affects her relationship with God.

But I Don't Have Tune!
    Jon looked at his assignment for the day and knew it was impossible. Downsizing had reduced the nursing staff to dangerous levels. During morning rounds, Elsie Morris caught Jon by the
hand, moaning, "I didn't sleep a wink last night. The pain was
awful! Why does God allow me to suffer so?" Jon groaned internally, trying to move on. He assured Elsie that he would bring her
an injection for pain as soon as possible and would check with her
doctor about increasing the dosage.
    Jon had no sooner started up the hall than Elsie's call light
beckoned. He ducked back into the room to check on her.
"Where's my shot?" Elsie demanded, then continued, "Don't
nurses give bed baths anymore? At least you could bring me a
basin and towel!" Jon knew that the IV in room 325 was running
low, and three other call lights beckoned. Jon assured Elsie that
he had not forgotten her and he'd be back as soon as he could.
    As he turned to leave, Jon noticed Elsie's open Bible on her
bed. He stopped, sat down in the bedside chair and gently
remarked, "I notice that you've got your Bible open. Has a particular passage been especially meaningful to you?"
    Elsie looked down at her Bible, shook her head slowly and
replied, "Reading the Bible has always been important to me, but
I just can't seem to concentrate now."
    Recalling a passage that had spoken to him during a time of
personal illness, Jon reached for Elsie's Bible and offered to read
it aloud:
    Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we
accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he
was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his
bruises we are healed. (Is 53:4-5)

    "You know, God understands how you're feeling. He's been
through it himself," Jon commented.
    Elsie pondered for a while, "I'd never thought of it that way. I
guess he does understand, but I've been too busy being mad at
him to realize it." Jon asked Elsie if he could pray for her. Elsie's
face brightened as she replied, "Oh, yes!" Asked if she had any
special requests, Elsie replied thoughtfully, "Well, pray that I can
live to get through my daughter's wedding next month."
    Jon laid his hand gently on Elsie's arm and prayed, "Dear
Lord, we know that you understand what Elsie is going through
and that you are