Strangely enough, I came across this poem after spending some time today packing up boxes of books. But that's not the real reason the poem spoke to me. Nowhere in it is the word "caregiver", but it certainly could have been written by one of us.
I hope this poem doesn't violate the policy against religious discussion, because I think it says things that we all feel from time to time.
This poem is by Joseph Bayly, from a book called Psalms of My Life. The name of this poem is "A Psalm While Packing Books"
This cardboard box Lord see it says Bursting limit 100 lbs. per square inch. The box maker knew how much strain the box would take what weight would crush it. You are wiser than the box maker maker of my spirit my mind my body. Does the box know when pressure increases close to the limit? No It knows nothing. But I know when my breaking point Is near. And so I pray Maker of my soul Determiner of the pressure within upon me Stop it lest I be broken Or else change the pressure rating of this fragile container of your grace so that I may bear more.
Wonderful poem and it hits all the points so well.... We sometimes know our stress limits but unlike our pets when they are at the end of the rope or feel ill and know when to rest, we just find ourselves trying to soldier on and on and on and hope we don't fall apart in the bargain. It doesn't always work.