Honor (respect, obey, care for) your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged in the land the Lord your God gives you. (Exodus 20:12 AMP)

The woman was tall, slender, and probably had been beautiful when she was in the prime of life. She had on simple clothes – pants, shirt and cardigan sweater, socks and Birkenstock-type sandals. Today she was accompanied by a man, likely her husband, who was holding her hand as if to lead her. Another woman was with them temporarily, reminding the husband that it was cold outside and the first woman’s coat should probably be zipped.

My observation of these people was probably for a total of 20 seconds, but I could see two things. One, the first woman’s unsmiling eyes were empty; there was no sign of life in them. Whether from dementia and Alzheimer’s or something else, I do not know, but she was not there. My second observation was how lovingly this (probable) husband cared for the wife. He was patiently leading his seemingly-catatonic wife by the hand from a medical appointment. My guess is that he dresses her, he feeds her, and he cares for her daily needs, and that he remembers the fullness of a person she used to be. While that fullness may be gone, his vows and love for her are carrying them through this chapter of life. The quick smile I shot him was returned for a moment and then they left the building.

I sat there fondly but sadly remembering my grandfather who died with Alzheimer’s, and remembering the sometimes astronomical effort it takes to care for the elderly who are sick. Today, let us join together to pray for caretakers everywhere – from spouses, to children, to friends, to medical staff – may their love and care honor the many people whose lives aren’t as full, but who are still precious to the God who created them and loves them.

God,

Thank you for your heart of love toward all your precious children. Thank you for those loved ones, medical professionals, and others who care for those who cannot live independently. Just as Jochebed cared for baby Moses, Ruth cared for her mother-in-law Naomi, Mary cared for the infant Jesus, and John cared for Mary, we thank you that we have many models of how to care for each other. Today we pray for wisdom, strength and stamina, and blessings upon those who care for others. Protect them from discouragement, frustration, impatience, and loneliness. Surround them with encouragement, resources, friends, family, and others who can lighten the load. Help them to honor those they care for, and to have soft hearts, courage, and confidence to care for their charges. Bless and protect them, smile on them, be gracious to them, show your favor and give them your Peace, we pray in Jesus’s name, AMEN.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.  Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.  (1 Thessalonians 5:11-12)

May the Lord bless you
    and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
    and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor
    and give you his peace.
(Numbers 6:24-26 NLT)

O Lord, what a variety of things you have made!
    In wisdom you have made them all.
    The earth is full of your creatures.

When you give them your breath, life is created,
    and you renew the face of the earth. (Psalm 104:24, 30 NLT)