Daily Devotions for Caregivers

 Hey my caregiver warriors! No one understands the everyday battles faced by those of us in the trenches! Am I right about that? I was reading a book this week and it mentioned something about warriors being allowed to weep. After a few minutes, as I thought about the power of that statement - I wrote this poem. So, straighten your armor, tighten your helmet, and let's trust God for one more day! The Weeping Warrior The long, hard battle is far from over But the weary warrior seeks reprieve – Taking but a moment to think – to live – to breathe.   She pries her white-knuckled fists from the handle And steps away from the sword, bloody still – Just one step as a single tear slips by The heavy scents of battle hang in her nostrils Tears come like a river – then a torrential rain Falling down her cheeks – carrying away the pain.   Helmet half-cocked – shoes ragged and torn Fingers poking through tears in her gloves But the warrior refuses to mourn.   It’s time to go- tim...

  I like reading self-help books, but I'm not sure how much some of them really help. Lol. But I try. Most recently, I picked up It's Okay if You're Not Okay.  It's about grief and how we all work through the process differently. Each caregiving environment comes with its own pre-packaged grief to work through. It's complimentary and included for free. Lol. Kind of like a staff infection when you go to the hospital.. just comes along with the deal. (I'm kidding.. mostly!) As I read, I realized that I really did have a lot of unexpressed pain and grief stuffed inside - my pain was voiceless. That's when this poem popped out - I share it with you hoping you'll relate - but I'll be glad if you don't. In the midst of the pain - the grief - the sorrow - God is there. Even though this is not expressed in this poem - know that I know God is present with me. His presence isn't a remedy for pain and it doesn't make grief go away. But it does allow...

This morning I took some time to pour my heart out in my journal. My heart has been heavy for some time now. There are many things going on - but I'll spare you the details. (You're welcome!) If you haven't tried journaling, it can be a good strategy for stress relief. It's a safe place to let it all hang out!  I had stopped for a while but this year I have picked it back up. Let me just say that I put more than my woes in my journal. I usually end with a prayer - or I write what God is showing me, what I am learning - and all those deep philosophical questions that rarely have answers. It's a polite catch-all for my sundry, sometimes crazy thoughts. As I finished up the entry this morning, I ended with a couple of statements which became the first two lines of this poem: Lord, hold me and hide me Let me know You are beside me As life's turbulent tides Roll over and over me -  Comfort me - pull me close and help me see There's more to life...

Some days it's all a caregiver can do to just keep breathing. I tease a lot about trying to remember to breathe and keeping that a top priority. But sometimes it really does feel like the life is being sucked out of you. Of course, there are many blessings that go with caregiving, but some days they are harder to find than others. No matter what our caregiving story - it's filled with difficulties. I try to keep a positive attitude but that's a fight at times. This morning, in an attempt to protect my sanity I decided to start trying to journal again. I am glad I did as I hadn't made an entry since June. (I used to write in my journal everyday BC.) I found this poem I had penned. I hope you get a little something out of it. Who am I to catch the King's gaze? To know...     He sees    He Knows    He hears The deepest sighs from the place where no words live The part of me that carries it all... with nothing left to give. The part of me where no...

I will care for you When your strength is gone And you can’t do it on your own When you aren’t sure what to do Or don’t remember how to… I will care for you. When reality passes away Like it’s the end of a day Your mind’s in the clouds But you know everyone in a crowd Your memory starts to fail And your body is oh so frial.. I will care for you. You misunderstand the simplest stuff Don’t know if you’re hungry or had enough When you don’t know the time or the day I’ll take your worry away And I’ll care for you. I’ll assure you of my love Hug you and tell you  - you’re safe with me. I will care for you. I’ll help you dress And all the unspoken rest Showing you dignity even in my pain Tears in my eyes as I watch you fade I will care for you. When you can’t talk – I’ll be your voice If you don’t know – I’ll make the choice I’ll listen to your stories again and again Because soon they will be silent… Although w...

This morning during my devotions this poem just came to me. As caregivers, it can feel like we live in a storm; one that never goes away. My heart is set - I will trust Him no matter what a day brings. Here's the poem I got this morning - I hope it speaks to someone today. Through the Storm Lord I want to know You In the midst of the storm To see You walk on water And tell my heart "peace, be still" Let me.... Feel You, hear You, touch You As life rocks along I trust You have me  In the center of Your will Carry me above The deceit of wind and waves May I hear You above the roar To be with You is all I crave May I not be distracted By the crashing tide For I'm tucked in tight Held close by Your side Though the storm keeps raging May my soul keep seeking And may I listen carefully To hear You speaking Peace be still... I'll be still... and Know You are God (c) May 21, 2016 J. Olinger