Caregiving

I went to Denver for a couple days, which left Bill as the caregiver for his 94-year-old mother. When I returned both were glad to have me home, but I had to laugh when Ruth said, “While you were gone neither of us were very hungry.” Obviously, Ruth’s lack of appetite and Bill’s lack of creative meal preparation lacked compatibility. Paul said, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret” (1 Cor 13:27-30 NIV)? In her current station in life Ruth does not need an apostle, a worker of miracles or someone with gifts of administration, but rather a caregiver.