It was Christmas Eve morning, and I was preparing for a day full of cooking and family fun. The day before, I had pulled off my plan for an “Aaron day” without a hitch. I wanted him to have time doing what he loves before all the commotion of Christmas wreaked havoc with his routine and therefore with his behaviors. Our son and his girlfriend, just in for the holiday, joined us at All Star Sports for some Aaron-style fun. Afterwards, we ate at Old Chicago, a favorite of Aaron’s. It was a great time!
But early the next morning I heard Aaron having a big seizure. This was a bed wetting one. So mixed in with my cooking and all the other Christmas prep, I found myself hauling loads of bedding to the laundry room. My main emotion was sadness for Aaron that day as he had two more big seizures over the next several hours.
Yet these moments also drive home to me the fact that caregiving is my life. It’s a life I never envisioned for myself when I contemplated marriage and motherhood as a young starry-eyed woman.
Every mother lives a life of self-sacrifice in many ways but having a child with special needs of whatever kind increases that role in ways she never knew. Any caregiving role is the same.
That is why I was so impacted by some verses I read one morning. Paul was talking to Titus about practical ways that we as believers are to live out the gospel. In chapter two of Titus, Paul gave instructions to older men and women as well as to the younger men.
He ended that section by urging slaves to conduct their lives in a way that they would “…adorn the doctrine of God.”
In that culture, slaves were nothing. They were the lowest of the low. Yet Paul told Titus to encourage them to adorn the doctrine of God, the gospel.
This is a high calling for such a lowly people!
The word “adorn” carries the meaning of arranging jewels in a setting that displays their beauty.
I love what John Stott said about these verses: “…the gospel is a jewel, while a consistent Christian life is like the setting in which the gospel-jewel is displayed; it can add lustre to it.”
Our human tendency is to equate importance with the “big things.” Red carpets, book signings, conference speakers, a record contract.
Not with wet bedding, doctor visits, behavior issues.
Not with dementia, hospice, hospitals, infusions, cancer…
But the gospel shines brightest in the darkest places. This is where God is especially honored and given great glory.
How? By our faith being seen in our service to the ones we are caring for. By yielding to God’s plan for our lives with trust and peace, even through tears or anger or resentment that inevitably comes at those vulnerable moments.
It’s a matter of my heart, not my surroundings.
“Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. WHATEVER YOU DO, DO YOUR WORK HEARTILY, AS FOR THE LORD RATHER THAN MEN.” (Colossians 3:22-23)
Where do you find yourself today?
Remember that the seemingly lowest place is the place of high calling in your life as a believer.
Even if we feel like no one notices our service, God still urges us to shine with the beauty of the gospel. God notices and that is all that really matters.
He Said What?! 
I’m so sorry Aaron suffered seizures after his special day. Hopefully, he recuperated enough so all of you could enjoy the holidays together. God bless you, Patti, and thank you for sharing your faith journey.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Nancy. He did recover enough to enjoy that evening and Christmas Day. He had the best Christmas as far as his enjoyment of everything that we remember in a LONG time.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Praise the Lord for Aaron’s days of harmony and joy. Thank you for sharing this good news, Patty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
God bless you both Patty!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And blessings to you, Sheila.
LikeLike
The light of the gospel shining in the difficulties of life great or small
I am glad Aaron could have that special day and also sorry for the seizure filled day
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate that, Matt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen, my dear sister in Christ! You were no doubt a lustrous setting of Christ long before I began to visit your blog years ago. I see you reflecting Christ in your humility, perseverance, strong faith IN him and passion FOR him. MANY caregivers are going to be encouraged by your testimony here!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, dear Nancy.
LikeLike
Oh Patty, what a powerful message. You and Gary certainly adorn the beauty of Christ’s grace by your serving Him in Aaron’s life.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Pete.
LikeLike
“But the gospel shines brightest in the darkest places. This is where God is especially honored and given great glory.“ Amen! Sorry to hear about Aaron’s seizures. Your faithfulness and love as a mother are inspiring.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Dawn. Blessings to you today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful reminder thank you. Praying God’s blessing for you, Aaron and all the family. I hope Aaron is recovered from his seizures.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Nicola. Aaron has recovered until the next cluster of seizures come. He bounces back so well, which always amazes me. Hope you have a great day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Patty, This is a beautiful post, although I am so sorry Aaron had such a rough day. It’s beautiful because I know it will encourage other caregivers who need encouragement so badly. I am going to repost it, hoping more caregivers may see it (possibly Jan 18). You are a light in this dark world, showing God’s love everyday as you serve Him. Sending love and prayers, Cindy 💕🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kindness and friendship, Cindy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Patty. This was exactly what I needed to read today. I am not a caregiver anywhere near the level you are, but taking care of my aging mom, my husband as he continues to deal with the after-math of his cancer surgeries, and my three grandkids, I needed to be reminded that those acts are important and meaningful, and essential to my faith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would say that I’m not anywhere near the caregiver that you are, Ann. Your plate is full! I hope that you’ll know how valued you and your work is in God’s eyes. Bless you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Trust me, you are much more of a caregiver than I am. And yet, I learn so much from you! You are truly sharing God’s light to others who need it, and it is very much appreciated!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate that, Ann.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“the gospel shines brightest in the darkest places. This is where God is especially honored and given great glory.”
Love those words…I’m thankful you enjoyed a fun day with Aaron and I’m sorry for the day which contained seizures. We are so blessed to have a God who goes with us every step of the way.
Thank you for adorning the Gospel in such a way that others are pointed to Jesus.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Alicia!
LikeLiked by 1 person