“I Have Kept the Faith”
Oct 19 2012 in Karen's Blog, Year 2 by Karen
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” - (2 Timothy 4:7)
As I spoke at Mom’s funeral, giving her life history, this is what I summed up Mom’s life with: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)
I think of Paul’s words often. I feel like they can be applied to me in my caregiving role, and indeed to all who have walked this path.
We go through many years fighting the good fight. Being an advocate for our loved ones with the medical profession, sometimes truly a fight. Fighting our own weariness, sadness, grief, anger, impatience and more to do the best we can for our loved ones.
We kept the faith. We stayed true to the commitments we made to ourselves and to our loved ones to provide care and love. We might not have done the job perfectly, but we kept faith with those who depended upon us.
And we finished the course. We might have fallen down occasionally, but we picked ourselves up and tried again. We stayed true and finished the course, long and arduous, knowing that the best we could provide was a better end of life for those we loved.
And then we are back to fighting the good fight in slogging through our mourning of those we have lost.
Looking back on my caregiving journey, I feel to say:
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” - (2 Timothy 4:7)
Sharon said on October 19, 2012
This is beautiful, Karen! Thank you for posting this!
denise said on October 20, 2012
I love this!!
eileen said on October 21, 2012
That is a beautiful verse. I held on to Be still and know that I am God. When my mom would be asleep at night, I would stand on the porch in the dark and drink in the quite and remind myself who was in control.
bette said on October 22, 2012
Hi Karen,
Thank you for sharing. I love this verse and also what you drew attention to: staying true.
We continue the race, just differently and grateful for the memories that remind.
Annie said on March 13, 2013
I shared this on Facebook. Well said, and so accurate. My mom would say “Annie, all we can do is keep on with the keeping on”