Road’s End

Eventually, caregiving will end. What are our lives to be then?

Perhaps we’ll feel a great sense of relief—no longer will our days be regimented according to a devastating illness, and our time will be our own. But maybe that will mean a bit too much time for us. What will we do with those empty days and nights? How will we change, making our lives useful and happy?

Caregiving requires much from us, and the one who has completed the road will have learned much about his or her personal limitations. But God doesn’t put such a period into our lives simply to point out our own neediness. As we learn selflessness and sacrifice, we’ll come through stronger than ever—even though grief may veil those powers for a time.

As the world rights itself and we take on a new vision, we’ll understand more of what God has done. Recognizing His new work in our lives, we’ll seek a goal and a new mission for Him. And like the first-century Christians John wrote to, we’ll be ready to reach out to others.

We will have learned so much from caregiving that will be useful in ministry. Looking ahead, let’s seek anew the goals God has for us and be ready to serve Him faithfully.