The Ultimate Caregiver By Jessica Daly – MDO Ministries
I am encouraged to find multiple online resources, support groups, books, and even celebrities jumping on the bandwagon called “Caregiving”. It has become a business in itself from the selling of books, magazines, and even large conferences held around the country. There is so much more information and encouragement available to caregivers now than there was eight years ago when I became a caregiver at the age of 32. At the same time, one problem remains the same. Very rarely will you find any type of spiritual or more specifically Christian encouragement for the caregiver. I know full well this was the calling and passion God placed on my heart in January of 2011 through the formation of MDO Ministries. Without my salvation, support, and constant comfort of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit I would never have made it this far in my caregiving journey. There is a longing within me for caregivers to fully embrace Jesus Christ as their ultimate caregiver and understand the fact that He is the only One that will never leave them nor forsake them.
During the past 8 years of caring for my husband and my daughter, I continued to become closer and closer to Jesus all because I was searching for help. I could not find what I needed from doctors, medications, positive thinking, or even people, for they could offer me only so much. I recall feeling lost and more abandoned than ever in my entire life. I began to find private moments alone with Jesus. In these I realized that with Him I could be my transparent imperfect self and even then He wanted to be with me and more than that, He actually adored me. I also saw that no matter what happened He was the ONLY one who never left me. My heart is for all caregivers to know that comfort and peace which can only be experienced through an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
Even today I rely on Him as I continue to care. He is my strength when I am tired of fighting the battles of life. He is my peace when evil and stress engulf me. He is my provider when bills come and I don’t know how to pay them. He is my defender when others don’t understand my struggle. He is my blessing when I don’t deserve a thing. And above all else, He is my Savior and Redeemer, who bought me with His very life and now, intercedes for me at the right hand of the Father. This One is my ultimate caregiver and He yearns to be that to you, too.
Millions of caregivers cover this earth and many are deserted, lost, and terrified. I want to introduce them to Jesus. It’s really that simple. I want them to live in victory. To have what I have been given is my heart’s desire. God called them to do what they have chosen to do. Don't forget that caregivers are the missionaries of the home, rest home, and hospital. They are equally as important as the missionary in a foreign land serving Jesus. They are all doing what Jesus called them to do in Matthew 25:40 when He said, “ ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’"
Publisher Note: Jessica Daly is a native of Wayne County and currently resides in the Lynchburg, Va. She is a graduate of Eastern Wayne High School and East Carolina University where she has earned a BS in elementary education as well as her Master’s Degree in Library Science. Jessica is married to Brian Daly, a native of Wayne County for 14 years and they share a daughter, Taylor who is 11 years old. Jessica began My Daly Outreach Ministries, a ministry dedicated to caregivers, in January 2011. The ministry consists of an online website, www.mydalyoutreach.com, a published book entitled “Brian’s Update” and inspirational speaking across the country bringing awareness to forgotten caregivers. Jessica is now a Research Librarian at Liberty University
