Daily Devotions for Caregivers

 I have several pots with succulents, flowers, and edibles all out on my patio. Then I have a row of flowers I planted in the ground outside the brick patio half-wall. I tell myself that was the best $12 I ever spent. Each time I go out, I see their brilliant colors and they make me smile from the inside out. I never dreamed a little row of simple flowers would brighten my day so much!  This morning, I went out to tend my plants before the heat ramped up. I do this every morning. I water my plants and talk to them. Lol. I tell the flowers how pretty they look and my other plants how well they are growing and what a great job they are doing reaching for the sun. It resembles the things I like to hear - those things that encourage me to continue growing and reaching for Him. Maybe that's what life is about, reaching for the Son. Maybe we could all use a little encouragement today to keep reaching for Him. In yesterday's devotion , I talked about how He is our one Rock. He is als...

 I mentioned you today in my FaceBook Live devotional, "Peace Out!" I was reading one of my all-time favorite scriptures, Psalm 61. As I read over the words, when my heart is overwhelmed, I thought of how many times we live in a state of overwhelm. Sometimes it's emotional as we watch our elderly loved ones slowly fade. Or perhaps some are caring for younger loved ones and all those "what could have beens" tear at our souls. There are times when mental overwhelm is just unreal. There can be so much planning and thinking and strategizing when caring for another whole person. I've just figured out how to manage boluses so that I save huge chunks of time out of my day. It only took me 14 years. lol. Planning work, caregiving, and even breaks can be mentally and emotionally exhausting at times. Maybe there are times when we are just physically overwhelmed too. Since I've had a bit of a heart issue, I get tired so much easier. Some days I feel like I'm dr...

It's not unusual for caregivers to feel overwhelmed. There is a lot on our plates, and each day seems to bring more. Decisions, tasks, and plans, just seem to wear on and on. They are just part of our journey so we tend to adjust and proceed. But every once in a while, at least for me, it seems I get sucked into the I'm all alone syndrome. The odd thing is that the feelings of being alone can be strongest when others are all around. When I go for a hike, an evening walk, or anywhere else occasionally, I seem to be the only person there all alone. Everyone else at least appears to be enjoying the company of friends, companions, or others. It tends to gnaw at one's soul. I hope you don't understand. Last night, after the zoom Bible study I host, which was very enjoyable, I just got sucked into the I'm all alone vacuum. There was no warning. No sign of anything. I just felt so all alone.  What are we supposed to do with these feelings?  Of course, we take them to God. ...

  A caregiver's day is filled with decisions. The most difficult part is making them for someone else. Some caregivers take care of loved ones who can speak and make choices. My son cannot speak. If he does make a choice, it's often hard to communicate it effectively. I'm always second-guessing what he meant and worry that I missed his slight cues.  Our decisions are like everyone else's in that they affect more people than we imagine sometimes. Some people haven't always understood my choice to take care of my son at home. They think I should just put him in a facility. While I know I have a choice - I just can't take that route. They won't push him like he needs to be pushed to improve among other things. But the decision to care for our loved ones usually affects other aspects of our lives as well. Actually, it affects every aspect of our lives. Even though some people don't understand making the decision to care for a loved one (long-distance or in-h...

 When I was so sick back in 1986-7, I found a scripture in Psalm 119. Verse 50, David says, This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life. (NKJV) The old King James says, for your word has quickened  me. As I struggled physically, with no strength, nothing making much sense and doctors who couldn't find answers (or didn't even want to try), I thought I was going to die.  On top of all of that, my MIL at the time began to berate me with comments about how God was punishing me for this or that. She listed out all the things she  thought I was doing wrong. Honestly, I had no strength to defend myself. I would repeatedly tell her, I trust God.  My mom planned my funeral. As a nurse, she thought I was in the dying process. God miraculously healed me - I have no doubt. Slowly, I regained strength and over the next few months, I just got better and stronger. My appetite returned and I began to gain back all the weight I'd lost. But during the sto...

  Caregiving can be a rewarding experience for those who choose to dedicate their time and effort to ensure their loved ones continue to enjoy a good standard of living. But in time, the stress and pressure of caregiving can also lead to burnout . Additionally, other responsibilities such as a job, relationships, and your own health can find themselves on the backburner. For caregivers struggling to find a balance between their personal and caregiving needs.   Manage Your Stressors   If stress has become a mainstay in your life, you may have lost track of actual stressors that make you feel this way. While you may be quick to conclude that the pressure of caregiving is the sole cause, there may be other factors exacerbating the situation, such as problems at work, lack of personal goals, financial difficulties, etc.   Once you realize the various factors which lead you to feel stressed, make a plan of how to address them. This can include:   ●  ...

When I woke up this morning, I had a verse I had used in yesterday's FB Live devotions running through my mind. I mentioned Psalm 138:24 which says This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. As I was running through the tasks I need to get done today I turned my thoughts to how God has given me today .  We never know what a day will bring. We don't even know what might change in a moment. But for right now, right this minute, today I can thank God. I can seize the opportunity of a today  to be thankful, to praise God, and rejoice in Him. And while I have a great attitude right now, I'll be the first to tell you that it's not always that easy. Some days, I have to dig down a little deeper to find praise, or to find thanksgiving. But it's always worth the dig! Things seem topsy-turvy in our world right now, but we can still praise God because He never changes. There are so many extremes, and so much arguing going on. But His peace can still ...