Caregiving is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. One minute, you’re coasting along, feeling like you’ve got a handle on things, and the next—BAM—you’re plunging into a loop-de-loop of medical appointments, unexpected diagnoses, and questions that have no immediate answers.
I know this ride well.
Twenty-two years ago, I became a mother to my beautiful and only daughter, Madison. She was just two and a half months old when we adopted her, and we had no idea what diagnoses would come.One by one, they started rolling in, like a never-ending to-do list of challenges.
At times, it felt like I was trying to juggle flaming swords while walking on a tightrope over a pit of alligators. (Dramatic? Maybe. Accurate? Absolutely!)
And yet, through it all, faith was my anchor. Faith was my oxygen. Faith was the only thing keeping me from waving a white flag and hiding under my bed with a family-sized bag of chocolate.
The Overwhelm is Real (But So Is God)
If you’re a caregiver, you get it. The exhaustion. The unpredictability. The constant decision-making. The moments when you wonder, “Can I really do this?”
The answer?
No. Not alone.
But here’s the GOOD NEWS (cue the angel choir!): You were never meant to do this alone. God hand picked YOU for this role. Not because you had all the answers or the perfect amount of patience, but because He knew that with Him, you could do it.
I clung to Jeremiah 29:11 like it was my lifeline: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
This verse didn’t just apply to Madison—it applied to me. God had a plan for her, yes, but He also had a plan for me. He wasn’t throwing me into this caregiving journey unprepared. He was equipping me, day by day, prayer by prayer, meltdown by meltdown.
Morning Prayers and Coffee-Fueled Faith
Let me tell you a secret: I NEVER start my day without praying. Nope. Not happening. Before my feet even hit the floor, I’m already talking to Jesus.
“Lord, I need You today. Touch me, touch Madison, and let today be a good day.”
That simple prayer became my daily anthem. Because let’s be real—every day as a caregiver is unpredictable. Some days are smooth, filled with laughter and small victories. Other days feel like an episode of “Survivor: Special Needs Edition,” and I’m just trying to make it to bedtime without crying into my coffee.
But prayer?
Prayer is my fuel. Prayer reminds me that I don’t carry this weight alone. God is holding me up. God is going before me. God is making a way when I can’t see one.
When the Monotony Feels Like Madness
Let’s talk about the same old, same old. The endless doctor’s visits, therapy sessions, medication schedules, and routines that make every day feel like a déjà vu nightmare. Some days, it’s easy to wonder, does any of this even matter?
YES, IT DOES!
Every act of love, every moment of patience, every prayer whispered in exhaustion—it ALL matters. God sees every sacrifice, every tear, every sleepless night. And He honours it.
Colossians 3:23-24 reminds us: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters… It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Caregiving isn’t just a duty—it’s a ministry.
Even when it feels like no one sees you, God does. He sees you holding it together when you want to fall apart. He sees your fierce love in the face of exhaustion. He sees your faith, even when it’s hanging on by a thread. He sees you crying your face off in the shower, where no one else can see you express your struggle.
Action Steps for the Weary Caregiver
So how do we keep going when the days feel endless and the burdens feel heavy? Here are a few things that have helped me over the years:
- Start the Day with Prayer: Before your feet hit the floor, ask God for strength, patience, and a spirit of joy.
- Find Joy in the Small Moments: A giggle, a breakthrough, a moment of connection—these are glimpses of God’s grace. Hold onto them.
- Give Yourself Grace: Some days, you’ll nail it. Other days, you’ll cry into a pillow at 2 a.m. Either way, you’re doing an amazing job!
- Surround Yourself with Encouragement: Find a community of faith-filled people who will lift you up when you feel like you’re sinking.
- Remember You Were Chosen for This: God could have picked anyone to be your loved one’s caregiver, but He picked YOU! Not because you were perfect, but because He knew that with Him, you would be enough.
Faith is Everything
If I’ve learned one thing in the last 22 years, it’s this: Faith is everything! Without it, I would have crumbled under the weight of uncertainty. With it, I’ve seen miracles unfold before my eyes!
God has a plan. For you. For your loved one. For every challenge you’ll ever face.
And here’s the beautiful truth—you were chosen for more than just caregiving. You are chosen to release the gift that God has for that person and the giftings He has given them. God has placed you in their life as a vessel of His love, His care, and His divine purpose.
Not everyone has the heart for this. Not everyone has the compassion to truly see the worth, the beauty, and the purpose in someone with extra needs. This calling goes beyond being nice—it’s a special labour of love, a reflection of God’s heart in action.
So keep going, weary caregiver. Keep trusting. Keep praying. Keep believing. And never forget there is a great reward in heaven for those that have been given this special responsibility.
Because you’re not just caregiving—you’re faith-giving. And that changes EVERYTHING!