Daily Devotions for Caregivers

All over America, senior populations continue to grow as older adults are living longer due to advances in medicine. A higher number of seniors are experiencing many of the problems that plague younger generations, including weight gain. Although obesity levels are much lower in seniors, there is a circular relationship between longevity and a healthy weight. As people live longer, their caloric needs change which can put them at risk for overeating. And the more seniors exercise, the longer they live. The key to balancing a healthy diet with exercise is to find programs that are enjoyable and sustainable.   Here are some tips for senior diets and exercise. Senior dieting requires more than just calorie restriction The general rule with dieting is that in order to lose weight, one must create a caloric deficiency. A pound of body fat roughly equates to 3,500 calories. Therefore, in order to lose a pound in a week—which is generally considered a healthy weight-loss g...

Just after I finished yesterday's devotion about how Jesus was sleeping in the boat and woke up to calm the waves, I thought of another story about Jesus and a storm . In Matthew 14, Jesus had just fed the 5000+ with two fish and five loaves of bread when He loaded up the disciples in a boat and sent them across the lake while He sent people home. After seeing that everyone was sent off safely, He retreated to a quiet place for prayer. While He was praying, a storm came up and started tossing His disciples to and fro.  In our last devotion, Jesus was asleep in the boat and woke up to calm the waves. This time, He sees His disciples in distress and just takes off walking across the top of the water to where they were. In both settings, the disciples were first afraid of the storm, then afraid of Jesus. This time they think a ghost is coming at them across the waters. Jesus calls out to them and says some powerful words. I am here! Don't be Afraid!  These words from the...

One year ago I went and got my aunt. I knew I was bringing her up to Oklahoma for good. She did not. Over this year she has declined but is still doing pretty good. The day I went to get her I became a full-time caregiver for two. It was difficult and I would do it for several months before she would need more care than I could provide. It was a difficult decision but best for her safety. I remain a full-time caregiver for my son and provide long-distance caregiving for my aunt. It's definitely made for a rocky year - especially emotionally. But I know I'm singing to the choir! :-) I have been reflecting on this past difficult year over the last few days so the scriptures I found this morning were particularly relevant to my life. I had looked up a verse a friend shared with me yesterday so my Bible was opened to Psalm 107. I found myself reading verses 23 to 32 over a few times. the psalm is about giving God thanks for His works of deliverance according to the subtitle. Th...

To be honest, I'd pretty much dismissed the promise so many claim out of Jeremiah 29:11. I'd wondered how that particular verse could possibly be applicable to the caregiving situation. When I'd see it or hear it quoted, I just didn't think I could apply it. It's easy to get tucked away in our caregiver's cave and seriously think there are a few scriptures or passages that do not apply to us. But this morning as I was reading through this chapter I realized something I'd been missing. I went back up to the first part of the chapter. Jeremiah starts out explaining who he was sending the letter to  the remainder of the elders who were carried away captive - to the priests, the prophets, and all the people Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon. So, I read the chapter again with new eyes. Jeremiah first offered some instruction for those in captivity. Sometimes, caregiving can seem like captivity. We cannot always go places we...

Pardon my absence. I had the opportunity to go away for a ladies retreat this past weekend and you know how involved it can be just to get ready to be gone for a bit. I'm so thankful for respite! You don't get a break just to get ready, nor do you get a break when you walk back through the door. lol I know you guys understand - thank you. My thoughts this morning are on the seeking.  I love how God is there for whatever we need when we seek Him. 2 Peter 1:3 tells us His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness - through our knowledge of Him. Whatever we need we will find in Him . But we've got to seek Him - not just what we think we need. I was reading in Jeremiah 29 where it says you will seek Me and find me when  you seek Me with all your heart. What is it you need today? As caregivers, we can have a long, long list. (Or at least I have one!) I know I need His strength to make it each day. I need His wisdom to make choices that arise. I ne...

Do you ever have one of those days where it seems like everything sends you off the emotional edge? Sometimes as caregivers it's nearly every day as we tend to live on the edge emotionally. It's called being on overload. We typically live in that state until it becomes the norm for us. There are times when it's worse than others. Little things become huge boulders standing in the way of peace. Later, sometimes much later, it can seem comical. A shoe coming untied, dropping a fork while trying to eat, or forgetting to push "on" to start the coffee pot are all minor things. But for those of us on overload, it can send us on a downward spiral. For me, sometimes, it's a picture of Chris before his wreck or hearing some of the music he used to write. Maybe finding a handwritten note from him from years ago. What is it for you that cause tears to well up in my eyes and a lump to block your throat? It's not often much. During those difficult times when emot...

This morning I read through Ecclesiastes. I'm not sure what I was looking for but it came to mind and I read it. While several things stood out to me, I guess I found what I was looking for in the last few verses of the book. During his final thoughts, the king said this, Here is my final conclusion: fear God and obey His commands, for this is the duty of every  person. (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NLT) I began to think about what that meant for me in my situation. As caregivers, it can feel like life played us a harsh hand. But, we are still in the game. There's a lot on our plate from the time we wake up until the time we go to bed. Many times there's no sleep due to duties during the nighttime hours as well. I have felt bad because I couldn't be "as faithful" to the church as I was in days BC. (Before Caregiving) It's easy to feel pressured to measure up to what others think and often I feel like I don't do enough. Maybe that's why this scripture s...