Daily Devotions for Caregivers

 I'm sorry for my absence; my son and I have both had Covid - and that included a nearly week-long stay in the hospital for him. That was "fun." Lol. But I think we are finally on the mend. You know, there isn't anything but adversity that can test our faith. Struggles have a way of forcing us into self-evaluation mode. At least, that's the effect they have on me. I start trying to figure out what is working and what's not working. My hope is that after each struggle (for there are many), I can emerge stronger and smarter, as well as with my faith intact. Isn't that what our Bible heroes did? I love reading the stories of how they overcame their struggles to fight through and continue trusting God. As caregivers, we do the same thing. We have enough "troubles for each day," as Jesus said. No one is going to argue with that! Then extra adversity on top of our caregiving can try to topple our faith. We've lived through some long, hard nights a...

  Photo by Pexels As a senior caregiver, you may be interested in finding a side gig to supplement your income and boost your professional skills. At Daily Devotions For Caregivers , we know it can be difficult to balance work and other commitments, but with careful planning and research, you can find the right side gig that works for you and that doesn't contribute to burnout . If you're interested in developing a side gig, read on for tips on how to make it happen. Benefits of a Side Gig Having a side gig provides several benefits. It allows you to gain valuable experience in an area outside of your current job. It also allows you to network with professionals in different industries. A side gig also provides an extra source of income , which can help pay bills or enable you to save for future goals. How to Choose the Right Side Gig Choosing the right side hustle is important. Consider your skills and interests when looking at potential gigs. What are you passiona...

 This morning, I woke up early and was "sorting through" several situations I'm dealing with. Okay, so I was worrying a little bit, okay? Lol. the list seems to be growing longer rather than shorter, really. I was seriously taking them all to God in prayer. I started thinking what a mess I've made in so many areas over my lifetime. I prayed about that too! Then, I started thinking about so many of the Bible characters. Some of them were real "characters" too. Not one of them was perfect and no one had everything together. I'm pretty sure that only in a make believe world everything is perfect. I started running my mind through all the stories in the Bible, and not one of them displayed a perfect person, except Jesus, of course. There was Abraham, the friend of God. He lied about Sarah being his wife out of fear. Then there was David. The "man after God's own heart" who committed adultery and then murdered a man to cover it up. Peter denied ...

 Cares come in many shapes and sizes, don't they? As "care" givers, we have a lot of cares. Sometimes, I feel kinda silly that smaller things can carry so much emotional weight. But when you are already emotionally overloaded even the smallest thing weighs more. Something like my shoe coming untied can have me in tears or upset way beyond what it's worth, you know? (I hope you don't - but I suspect you do.) This morning, I was running through my list of "cares" with God. I was going through each one, asking for wisdom, for His touch, direction, etc. By the time I got through my mental list, I was concerned about the first items all over again. So I just went back through them. Then I realized I was casting my cares over for Him to carry. I decided this is something I really need to work on - casting, then casting, again and again until I can let Him carry them all for me. So, today, I am determined to practice casting. To get good at something, anything,...

  You can't really fake faith. We can't fake peace, either. We either have it or we don't. This morning, I don't feel like I have either one. Lol. Ever have those kinds of mornings? But when we know that God's peace and grace are right there , maybe just out of our soul's reach, sometimes, that is faith. Knowing that He's got us covered when we feel anything but - that really is faith.  Many times on this caregiving journey, I've been angry with God. I know, you're not supposed to say that, right? But I think God honors honesty, and I've been downright mad that He let all this happen. I'll think, I'm just not going to pray and ask Him for anything anymore. That usually only lasts a few minutes until something else comes up, and I find myself right back at the foot of His throne, asking for help, guidance, provision, or peace. Lol. That's not lack of faith - it's frustration. I really think that continuing to run back to Him shows ...

  Caregiving can be a wonderful career choice, allowing you to make a living while helping others who are vulnerable and in need. Emotionally, it can be very fulfilling. However, a caregiver's job can also be draining. If you don't take care of yourself, you risk experiencing caregiver burnout. To avoid this worst-case scenario, follow these actionable and affordable self-improvement tips for caregivers.   Create a stress-busting toolkit   Stress is a normal part of everyday life, especially if you have a high-pressure job like caregiving. However, if you don't manage your stress, it can have negative health effects, like increasing your risk of anxiety or depression. To control your stress, follow best practices like connecting with other people, making time for self-care, and avoiding unhealthy habits like smoking. Meditation is another great stress buster. Spend more time in nature   Spending time outdoors can be another way to reduce stress and improve m...

 There is a lot to process in a day, no matter how peaceful the day is and whether or not you get bad or good news. But as caregivers, we have to process everything through caregiving. I hope that made sense. Here's where I am coming from. Yesterday, my sweet aunt fell very, very ill and is currently in the hospital in ICU. With this type of news, there are lots of emotions to work through. As I went in to care for my son this morning, I thought - I don't get a break; I still need to take care of him, even though I'm processing my own emotional baggage here.  Then, I thought back over the last couple of years. My mom passed away, and I still took care of Chris. My daddy passed away - and I still took care of Chris. My aunt, who I was also an LD caregiver for passed away. And - you guessed it - I still took care of Chris. There are good things, too - my niece got married - I still took care of Chris. Two nieces had babies, joyous occasions, for sure. But I'm still taking...