Caregiving – Circles of Support

            As communication with my Saviour increased, I began to anticipate the next step, introduced through the story of Esther.

            Esther knew her situation was dire, as did I. I needed to fast, but I also needed support to do so. Unlike me, Esther was in a situation of power, and through her Uncle Mordecai, her circle of influence was “all the Jews who can be found in Susa.” My circle was far smaller and far less consequential in the eyes of the world, but God also gave me a love for people to network with, and the Internet with which to expand my outreach for His mission.

            I contacted my inner circle of dearest praying friends, the next circle—the church, then asked those to consider requesting prayer from their contacts. Finally, I asked large groups of praying people from missions with whom I or my contacts had related to join me. I was astonished at the messages I received from friends of friends. Like ripples in a pool, the tiny circle produced a larger circle, and that in turn produced a bigger span and on and on. Many, many people filled those concentric circles and were praying for me to be faithful in fasting and that the outcome of every encounter and every decision be for God’s glory.

            At first, I did not consider the other side of the circle—the outside, meaning the outreach.

Because of my mother’s local history of violence and penchant for suing everyone she thought or imagined had done her evil, a lot of agencies and potential help were reluctant to assist me.

            I was well aware of Mom’s craftiness and potential for harm, so I documented everything I did and was certain to have witnesses. A friend or family member accompanied me each time. Some visits were close to disastrous, such as when a preteen grandchild thought she wanted to meet her great-grandmother but was frightened by my mother and ran out of the house, then refused to return. We had to spend some time discussing what had happened and praying for peace. Ultimately, we had to cut our visit short. Other times, friends joked that they should be paying me to bring them because before they came, they thought their family was dysfunctional, but on returning home, their family situation looked pretty good compared to mine.

            Some of the mental, legal, and physical health representatives were watching and made remarkable personal comments from time to time that illustrated to me once again that this journey was not just for me (or only about me or my mom or our family). Through the journey I didn’t want to take, others’ lives were eventually impacted, and some were changed.

            It is a remarkable assurance to get emails, cards, notes, or messages indicating that others are praying and that their lives are changing too.  When I created a card about caregiving to distribute at speaking events, the first item I suggest people do to prepare is to gather prayer partners to prepare for their caregiving mission.

Who is on your support team?