Do you ever wish there was some sort of caregiver's training available? I have found it to be more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants situation. We learn as we go and become experts on our loved one's condition. I started out pretty timid when it came to advocating for my son. But I learned over the years how to get things done. Perhaps some of the things I learned are not proper, or socially acceptable, but when it comes to getting people off their back ends and doing their job for my son - oh well!
I've always been one who has had a little attitude, but the tenacity and attitude that I've witness develop in myself as a caregiver has surprised me. We not only evolve into this caregiving role, we learn how to handle situations; hopefully with grace. But then there are those times when we know we have to grab the bull by the horns and get things done. I've found that even the quietest, gentlest person can become a bull fighter when needed.
In the Bible, my example is Benaiah. Never heard of him? I'm not surprised. He's only mentioned in two spots and he only gets about two verses. He is mostly unseen, like the caregiver. He most likely spent years training as a warrior and a fighter but all we get is this little glimpse into who he was. Here's what is said about him in 1 Samuel 23:20-21:
Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on a snowy day. He killed an Egyptian, an impressive man. Now the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but he went down to him with a club and snatched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear.
What I noticed first of all is that he ran into the pit to kill the lion. He did not wait on the lion to come out or attack - he ran into the pit. And it was a snowy day which means that footing would be tricky. He did not take an easy route, he saw what he needed to do and got it done. That's the tenacity of a caregiver!
I find this little mentioned man to be intriguing. He is full of tenacity and attitude. I see caregivers the same way. We are not just sitting idly by and waiting for anything - we know how to get up and get going and get what is needed done. Most of us have most likely taken out a lion or two in our time as caregivers. You know, those situations that roar at you?
Today I am going to think about the changes that God has brought about in my life through caregiving. I will meditate on how it is God who gives me strength for the battle. I will turn my thoughts to the ways He has helped me deal with the situation in a positive way. And I will face today with tenacity and attitude, will you join me?
I've always been one who has had a little attitude, but the tenacity and attitude that I've witness develop in myself as a caregiver has surprised me. We not only evolve into this caregiving role, we learn how to handle situations; hopefully with grace. But then there are those times when we know we have to grab the bull by the horns and get things done. I've found that even the quietest, gentlest person can become a bull fighter when needed.
In the Bible, my example is Benaiah. Never heard of him? I'm not surprised. He's only mentioned in two spots and he only gets about two verses. He is mostly unseen, like the caregiver. He most likely spent years training as a warrior and a fighter but all we get is this little glimpse into who he was. Here's what is said about him in 1 Samuel 23:20-21:
Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on a snowy day. He killed an Egyptian, an impressive man. Now the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but he went down to him with a club and snatched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear.
What I noticed first of all is that he ran into the pit to kill the lion. He did not wait on the lion to come out or attack - he ran into the pit. And it was a snowy day which means that footing would be tricky. He did not take an easy route, he saw what he needed to do and got it done. That's the tenacity of a caregiver!
I find this little mentioned man to be intriguing. He is full of tenacity and attitude. I see caregivers the same way. We are not just sitting idly by and waiting for anything - we know how to get up and get going and get what is needed done. Most of us have most likely taken out a lion or two in our time as caregivers. You know, those situations that roar at you?
Today I am going to think about the changes that God has brought about in my life through caregiving. I will meditate on how it is God who gives me strength for the battle. I will turn my thoughts to the ways He has helped me deal with the situation in a positive way. And I will face today with tenacity and attitude, will you join me?
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