You arrived early today. You’ll probably leave late. You helped someone dress, eat, bathe—tasks so intimate, so humbling, that most people can’t imagine doing them for strangers. You smiled when you were tired. You were patient when it was hard. You held someone’s hand when they were afraid.
And at the end of your shift, you might wonder: Does this really matter? Does anyone see what I do?
The Weight
Let’s name what you carry, because it’s heavier than most people realize:
- Physical exhaustion: Your body hurts. Your feet ache. You’re lifting, bending, moving all day.
- Emotional toll: You witness suffering. You watch people decline. You say goodbye to residents you’ve grown to love.
- Invisibility: Your work often goes unnoticed. People see the tasks, but they don’t see the heart behind them.
- Spiritual fatigue: Some days you wonder if what you’re doing matters in the big picture. Some days you feel like you’re just going through motions.
You’re not imagining this weight. It’s real. And it takes a toll.
Scripture
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” — Colossians 3:23-24
Biblical Insight
When Jesus walked the earth, He spent much of His time doing exactly what you do: caring for the sick, touching the untouchable, feeding the hungry, comforting the suffering. He washed feet—a task reserved for the lowest servant.
And He did it with intention. With dignity. With love.
Your work mirrors His. When you help someone eat, you’re feeding one of His beloved children. When you help someone bathe, you’re honoring the body He created. When you sit with someone in their loneliness, you’re being the presence of Christ.
You’re not just a caregiver. You’re a minister. Every act of service—no matter how small or repetitive—is an act of worship when done for Him.
Reflection: You Are Seen
Here’s what God sees that others might miss:
- He sees the gentleness in your touch when you help someone who can’t help themselves
- He sees the patience you summon when someone asks you the same question for the tenth time
- He sees the grief you carry when a resident you loved passes away
- He sees the dignity you give to people that society often overlooks
- He sees the love behind every small act of service
You are seen. You are known. And your work matters more than you realize.
You need to hear these truths:
- ✅ Weariness doesn’t mean you’re failing.
- ✅ Caring deeply means loss will hurt. You grieve, too.
- ✅ You’re allowed to need encouragement. Serving others doesn’t mean you don’t need to be served. You need encouragement, too.
- ✅ You can’t pour from an empty cup. Set boundaries.
Wisdom
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa[1]
“My worth to God in public is what I am in private.” – Oswald Chambers [2]
Self-Care as Worship
Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s stewardship. God gave you one body, one heart, one soul. If you don’t tend to it, you won’t be able to tend to others.
Resting isn’t laziness. It’s obedience. Even Jesus withdrew to pray and recharge. If He needed it, so do you.
Prayer
Lord, some days this work feels so small. Help me see it through Your eyes. Remind me that every act of service—no matter how humble—is sacred when done in Your name. Give me strength when I’m weary, patience when I’m tested, and peace when I grieve. Let me never forget that I am not just caring for bodies—I am caring for souls You love deeply. Fill me with Your love so I can pour it out on those I serve. Amen.
Today’s Care for You
Before your next shift, do one small thing to care for yourself: take a five-minute walk, listen to a song that lifts your spirit, or simply sit in silence with a cup of tea. You matter too.
Footnotes
[1] Mother Teresa, A Simple Path (New York: Ballantine Books, 1995), 79.
[2] Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest (Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House, 1935), August 5 entry.