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A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Debbie Thrower, of the Bible Reading Fellowship and founding Anna Chaplain

Good morning.

Years ago, I recall visiting an author whose wife was living with a long-term illness. Hugh Marriott had just written The Selfish Pig’s Guide to Caring.* Why a ‘selfish pig’? Well, he suggested buyers of the book might be drawn to it because they think of themselves as a selfish pig – having never expected to find oneself in the role of carer - AND feeling guilty about it.

If that sounds familiar, it’s not surprising. There are almost seven million carers in the UK – one in ten people – and the number is rising.

Some years after conducting that interview with Hugh Marriott I met his wife, Cathie, again. Coincidentally, she was now resident in the same care home both my parents were to live in – at different times - until their deaths. I used to see Hugh and their adult children visiting their mother who was one of the youngest people in the home at the time but, sadly, also one of the most frail. Hugh had written his book because he’d faced a dearth of advice when he found himself caring. With searing honesty, he describes what it’s really like looking after someone round the clock. No doubt it’s brought comfort for not shying away from the truth.

Lord of time and eternity, who never ceases to walk alongside us on our life’s journey, assure those facing old age of your continuing presence. Comfort them when they face bereavement, limitations or illness, and grant them and those who care for them each day a rich experience of your grace at work in their lives.

Amen