Caretaker Training

I was given this body to care for.

I will take better care of it, and may the Lord help me do so.

I was given this home to care for.

I will take better care of it, and may the Lord help me do so.

I was given this family to care for.

I will take better care of it, and may the Lord help me do so.

I was given these friends to care for.

I will take better care of them, and may the Lord help me do so.

I was given this community to care for.

I will take better care of it, and may the Lord help me do so.

I was given this world to care for.

I will take better care of it, and may the Lord help me do so.

I was given this soul to care for.

I will take better care of it, and may the Lord help me do so.

I have given all this to the Lord to care for.

He takes better care of them, and, praise Him, He teaches me to do so.

Background:

Adam’s first job was being caretaker of the garden. We are naturally inclined, innately designed to care.

Now that I am thinking about related words, it seems interesting to me that both the terms “caretaker” and “caregiver” involve the same things, in spite of the typical contrast of the words “take” and “give”.

Both caretakers and caregivers are “taking” a level of responsibility for a valuable thing or being and “giving” care needed to maintain the welfare of that thing or being.

The best care we can give will be in similar quality to what we have willingly received or witnessed others receiving, so if we want to take good care of what and whom we’ve been given, the most effective way is for us to willingly receive care from our Father and celebrate Him for it. Then, we can also give all we have received back to Him so that He can teach us how to care for them better.

We are in training to be good caretakers, honorable stewards. And those who can be trusted with little will one day be trusted with much - what wondrous things and beautiful souls might you be entrusted with one day?? Might as well start practicing now.

You don't struggle alone in learning these lessons - I'm paddling beside you, often unsuccessfully, and more importantly for both of us, Jesus is the helmsman who has a consistent habit of sitting with His people to row beside them.

Wishing you goodness without end,

Jess