A Tribute to a Care-Giver

People look at the passage of time differently. Time is a long and winding road. It’s flowing like a river.  It’s tick-tock  and mechanical. It’s a thief. We even ask God to bless the broken road (to borrow from the music industry!)

And we don’t experience this broken road alone. We do this with friends who will go the distance with us. We remember the events by not only what God does, but who we get do it with. 

Genesis 35, tells us about a woman named Deborah. She is Rachel’s caregiver, and while the people of Israel are on the road, she dies. Normally, the passing of a servant has barely an obit to mark the moment. But, Deborah has been there and done things that make up Rachel’s life, and by close association, Israel’s life. She had served well and long, and her passing is marked as one of those important events.

“Soon after this, Rebekah’s old nurse, Deborah, died. She was buried beneath the oak tree in the valley below Bethel. Ever since, the tree has been called Allon-bacuth (which means ‘oak of weeping’)” (Genesis 35:8 New Living Translation).

This grave is marked because of the time Deborah gave to Rachel and Jacob.  She may not have been a

ruler or warrior, or had an outstanding lineage; but she used the time she was given to care, to serve, and to make a difference in lives.

Whether it’s a river, a road, a loop, or a line, time is best when we move through the events, the challenges, the ups and downs, valuing those we serve and those who serve us and give their time to care.

Care-givers. You are honored because you give your time generously.