Buidheachas

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress... James 1.27

As well as being Thanksgiving is the USA, today is Carers' Rights Day here in the UK. I am including parents who choose to stay at home and raise their children, when I say that carers are the glue that holds society together. And therefore, at the very least, they deserve our respect. That means ensuring that they are accorded esteem and compensated for their sacrifice. A society that cherishes carers will pay them at least as much as someone who works for their own benefit.

James, apostle and brother of Jesus, promotes those who care for others as exemplars of true religion. In other words religion is not about exuding piety or attending church (though these have their place) so much as it is about caring for those who would otherwise be destitute. This is not an easy vocation, every day is different and often fraught with challenges, dilemmas, panic and exhaustion. So, in addition to adequate remuneration, carers need a break.

Pray that God would work in all of our hearts to raise the profile of carers in society and our personal appreciation of them, so that they would receive the support they deserve. What better way to express thanksgiving for the blessings we enjoy - both in giving and receiving? For we all depend on the care we receive from God and from others and we are all called to share the gift of care with others, as and when we are able - in the awareness that God regards such gestures as acts of kindness towards Godself!