Home misisons has another face—perhaps less glamorous but no less urgent—the care of elderly or infirm family members.

Home Missions of Another Sort

by Norma Jackson Goldman

This issue of ONE Magazine centers on a topic that is fundamental to a believer’s faith walk—home missions. Picture in your mind’s eye a pebble cast into a lake, with ripples moving out in ever-widening circles. This is a beautiful picture of home missions, of the love of God, and of the influence of people of faith.

You likely are among those believers who have contributed to home missions financially, donated your time, or participated enthusiastically in efforts to share the Gospel with a needy, hurting community.

But “home” missions has another face—perhaps less glamorous but no less urgent—the care of elderly or infirm family members.

My cousin Alice and her husband had great plans for retirement, including the purchase of a large motor home and a list of exciting destinations to visit. They were going to fish, explore, relax, and enjoy each other’s company to celebrate the end of more than 60 years of work life. No more alarm clocks, congested interstates, and late nights away from home, or so they thought.

Alice’s widowed mother had lived with them for many years, contributing greatly to the care of their home, meal preparation, and family outings. As her health became fragile, she could no longer perform these tasks, let alone leave the house for extended periods. Instead of giving care, she required care. As a result, travel plans were postponed.

As she neared retirement, my friend Peggy purchased a smaller home. She planned to decorate, buy new furniture, and garden at her leisure. She now spends all but a few days each month caring for her mother in a city almost 200 miles away. Friends see to her mail, her yard, and her home during her long absences. Decorating, new furniture, and leisure gardening will have to wait.

My friend Tom’s father lives in Houston. Recently, he has fallen several times, requiring Tom to make repeated trips to Houston. Tom is struggling with the painful transition to making decisions regarding the parent’s care. And so it goes.

In each of these situations, adult children have gladly assumed responsibility for their parents, following Jesus’ example in providing for His own mother. To love, care for, and protect those who can no longer care for themselves is a beautiful picture of ministry. The early church set aside choice servants to minister to such needs, freeing others to do the work of evangelism.

These New Testament believers would “come alongside” another in ministry. Such individuals greatly lightened the load of others who were living out their calling through preaching and church planting.

The same remains true today when friends or family members come alongside caregivers, mercifully providing a brief respite from the hard work of providing care. Such people truly are gifts from God, allowing caregivers to rest and refresh themselves.

Unless you’ve experienced it firsthand, it is difficult to grasp just how tiring it can be to care constantly for a loved one, and how essential it is to have periods of rest and rejuvenation.

Peggy often recounts hilarious tales of her experiences in taking her mother out for brief adventures. She laughs as she tells of repeating the same answers to the same questions as many as 20 times during the course of a morning! The point is that she has consciously chosen to minister (yes, minister) in this way so her mother enjoys life to the greatest extent possible.

When home care is no longer an option, there will still be opportunities for sacrificial ministry, and personal plans might even be put on hold. But the love of Christ will be preached eloquently every day through the “sermons lived” by a faithful caregiver.



About the Writer: Former magazine editor Norma J. Goldman enjoys a successful freelance career in her retirement. The award-winning writer lives near Nashville, TN. Learn more about retirement options at www.boardofretirement.com.