Reuben says he's not sure how it happened, it just happened in a split second. I believe he is still under stress and has much on his mind.
In the book A Cancer Battle Plan, the author shares how friends can help support the cancer patient. A few pages (contributed by her husband) are devoted to caring for the carer (in my case, husband).
The suffering that a caretaker suffers is forgotten - especially the strong, silent husbands. They are involuntarily cast into a behind-the-scenes role, charged with keeping everything running smoothly. This can be a source of anxiety, stress, frustration and fear.
It is easy for the healthy ones to be overlooked. Some tips from the book about how friends can help give individualised attention and involvement:-
- Let them know you care and are praying specifically for them,
- Pray with/for them in person or over the phone,
- Find out what would help them most,
- Be willing to listen to their feelings and what they are going through,
- Allow the person freedom to be himself - they would appreciate interaction and "normal" conversation - not necessarily about the cancer patient.
Reuben shared with me that while at church camp, the kids would all be happily sitting with their friends at meal times. He felt "lost" not having my company and when he sat down with friends at church, the conversation inevitably centers around my condition. He really did not have much opportunity to "air" or "ventilate" his feelings.
Do pray for Reuben to cast his anxieties on the Lord, to be able to sleep well each night. It is a time to trust in the Lord for everyting. We are learning to depend on Him more because we truly cannot do much at all. Pray for our sense of security to be anchored in Christ.
1 Peter 5:6-7 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. "
