My Grandmother's Poem

Yesterday was a rough day, rougher than usual. As caregivers, our emotions often stay on the edge and it doesn't take much to tip us off. Well, yesterday was my tipping off point. The everyday stuff for us is enough, isn't it? I mean, come on life - my mom has dementia, I am an LD caregiver for my aunt (I went to see yesterday), and I am a full-time caregiver for my adult son who is total care due to a brain injury. Too many things have happened in the last couple of days and my emotions, nerves, mind, etc. are all on edge. Why can't life just let up a little now and then?

I came home from seeing my aunt in the nursing home and was a bit frazzled. My heart and mind were racing. For me, one strategy for not getting taken down in life's swifter currents is to do something different. Not work. Not my norm. I spied a briefcase I'd brought in from the garage as I've been going through my aunt's things. As I unlatched it and opened up the top to see a poem in my grandmother's own handwriting was laying on top. The title is My God Can Handle This.

I'd be lying if I told you my eyes didn't sweat a little bit. I turned the old papers over and found the date on the back. She had written it in 1959 one year before I was born. Here I sat looking at her words 60 years later as they ministered to my heart in my present situation. There is no telling how long it's been tucked away in this briefcase, but it was right where I needed it yesterday. I'll take it as an indirect encouragement to continue to write an publish my own writings and poetry. (Check out my first digital poetry book!) Here is my grandmother's poem - still ringing true - I hope it ministers to your heart too - God really can handle this!

My God Can Handle This

Stuck with a problem you've not had before?

Feel that you're wounded, forsaken and sore?

Sorrow and trouble both beat on the door?

My God can handle this!

Can't see a glimmer of light out ahead?

Darkness and terror and mountains of dread?

Stick out your chin, brother, God isn't dead!

My God can handle this!

Feel all you've made of your life is a mess?

No one to help you, and no one to bless?

Say, listen. Brother, you don't have to guess!

My God can handle this!

Down on your knees, with your bundle of woe!

He's there to give you a hearing, and so -

Try it and see, brother, then you will know -

My God can handle this!

Looks like the world's in a terrible scape-

Nothing but suff'ring and warfare and rape-

Now, listen, brother don't hang out in the crepe -

My God can handle this!

Now is the time, brother, lift up your head,

Take down that Bible that you haven't read-

Dust off its cover and see what is said-

My God can handle this!

Find there each promise to you certified -

Signed in the Life Blood of One crucified -

all hell defeated, the day Jesus died!

My God could handle this!

Up from the grave! Brother listen to me!

Christ is the answer for you, can't you see?

all pow'r is His: you can have it for free!

My God will handle this!

(C) Maxine Emerson September 11, 1959

Caregiver Burnout is Real

Do you ever just get too tired? Do you ever want to quit? Do you ever sit down for a whole 30 seconds and think about not getting back up? Ever? Who am I kidding? Sometimes I forget who I'm talking to. Lol. As caregivers, burnout is real. But the problem for most of us, is we don't get a break even in the midst of burnout, right? Let's face it. If we had a bit more help we might avoid burnout - but once we feel that we are in a season of burnout and stressed out - there's still no help. It's easy to feel stuck. I try to do a few things to avoid burnout and to cope. Someone told me one time that I had learned how to live even in the midst of the situation. I think she was right. I have learned to slow down and enjoy an afternoon cup of tea (or coffee!!!). I try to get outside as much as possible because sunshine and fresh air are essential to a healthy life. Some days that means sitting on the patio so I can see Chris in the recliner through the window. But I'

Part of the Crowd

I took Chris to our local minor league baseball team's game yesterday. I must say I give the ballpark an A+ on accessibility. The parking guys pointed me to a handicap spot right near the gate. And from there, I just rolled him in and found our accessible seating - which just means a chair beside an empty spot for the wheelchair to fit in! It was great. He could see fine and even though it was a bit loud at times - it wasn't too loud for him. What joy fills my heart when I find things to do that are positive. As we sat and watched the game, we became part of the crowd. We were all watching the game and cheering on the home team. We had one purpose - besides being entertained, and that was to support the local team. We all cheered when our guys made a play. We hooped and hollered when one of them stole a base or hit a home run. It was so amazing to be part of something bigger than us - to be part of the community. It made me think about the crowds who followed Jesus and the w

Ups and Downs

Maybe it's just "that time of year" for me, but I've struggled a lot the last few weeks. I still affectionately call it the caregiver's fog. Lol. Okay, maybe it's not-so-affectionately. I know I can share my true feelings with you guys because you get it. You understand the day-to-day grind of caregiving. The military has a saying about there being no easy day. I think we live in that reality. It's just not easy caring for another whole person, is it? Caregiving presents many difficulties. We can find ourselves alone, so very alone on this journey. It doesn't just go away. We don't just work through it. It seems to go on and on. There are lots of ups and downs - and that can be about every 90 seconds some days. Right? (smile!) As I've been working through this emotional maze the last few days, I turned my thoughts to Daniel. Let's take a realistic look at his circumstances because as we read his story in the Bible, we tend to glamorize i

Daily Devotions for Caregivers

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