Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.  Jacob [James] 1:27, TLV

Don’t Forget Them.   Many of us are on difficult journeys: walking with our parents through the trials of old age that includes dementia and/or Alzheimer, or dealing with young people in our lives who are wounded, or at risk. It’s an odd and challenging time and trying to understand the behaviors of those we love can cause some stress. But it also does something else. It can help us set our priorities. Sometimes, we can be so wrapped up in our own feelings and concerns and goals that we forget our Father wants us to live out our redemption with acts of love and sacrifice — as His Son did for us.

Learn to do good, seek justice, relieve the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Isaiah 1:17, TLV

Showing that compassion on strangers is easier, I think, than with our own family. Families are complicated with history. History that makes pure and undefiled compassion difficult, especially when those we’re dealing with are vulnerable and helpless or combative and cold.

I’m learning, this isn’t about me. My acts of compassion and sacrifice are acts of honor — both to family and to my Heavenly Father. Don’t you wish there was a switch in our brain that activates compassion and sacrifice? The same switch that turns off our needs for a time so that we can focus on others?

My mother’s caregivers are wonderful. I don’t know how or if I could do that every day and I wrestle with the guilt because, well, the woman they tenderly care for is the mother who did incredible exploits for and with the LORD. Yet, today, she doesn’t always know who I am.

Two precious women of GOD have shown me that even these difficult moments are treasures. That had I not been there I would have missed them. Because one day there will be no more moments.

My brain has been like a clothes dryer filled with all different types of socks. They helped me grab the two socks that were most important and put them together into a clear understanding. Take the moments and give of myself. At times I need reminding, because that dryer still tumbles all those other thoughts and activities that seem more important –and they are — just not all the time. That’s why I am grateful to Abba for those who take the time to listen to the heartache and give priority to what I need to do today.

This applies to those of you with children — no matter the age — who are walking dangerous lives. Find other redeemed women who have or are going through the same thing.

The “widows” and “orphans” are literal and symbolic, but we are commanded to not forget them. It’s just not easy, at times.