Daily Devotions for Caregivers

Reaching for the Sun

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 also our one Light. Our only strength. The only Shepherd of our souls. The One who comforts us, gives us peace and stands guard over our souls day and night. No day is too hot for Him and no night too dark. He walks through it all with us whether our soul seems to be scorching or silent. He's right there when it seems too dark to find our way. And we just keep reaching for the Son. That's our main job. It's essential to what we do as caregivers. We love the way He loves, care the way He cares, and watch over our loved ones like He watches over us.

Today, I want to encourage you to reach for the Son one more time, and I will do the same. My meditations will be on how my soul needs Him, and how He is so very present whether it feels like life's hot sun is beating down on my head, or my arms are not long enough to reach Him. I'll remind myself that He surrounds me like the sunlight surrounds my little plants - they cannot escape it! And I will rest in Him - trusting Him for one more day. Will you join me?

If you enjoy these devotionals, I have others! I've expanded my bookstore on Amazon. My devotionals are available in Kindle or print format. The new Bible study guides are now available on Kindle and in print! Check out my growing bookstore:

I also recently opened my own bookstore. I'm presently filling it up with my books - check out the ones I have available in eBook format. You can download them and read them on your phone! Dove's Fire Ministries Bookstore.

Gentle Reminders

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 dragging. But things still have to be done. Actually, there's nothing I can skip, even on those days. I know some of you understand.

David's prayer when he felt overwhelmed was lead me to the Rock - you know that one that is higher, taller, stronger, than me. We read over this prayerful phrase without giving it much thought, but it carries a lot of weight. Think of a few mentions of God as our rock in scripture:

...the Mighty One of Jacob...the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel (Gen. 49:24)

He is the Rock, His deeds are perfect. Everything He does is just and fair. He is a faithful God and upright. (Duet. 32:4)

The rock of our enemies is not like our Rock, as even they recognize. (Duet. 32:31)

there is no Rock like our God! (I Sam.2:2)

Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. (Is.26:4)

And those are just the beginning. Wow, right? I think I'm going to write all these down and study them today because as I read over these few scriptures, I was encouraged and reminded that He really is my rock. He is a safe place to run no matter what overwhelms us.

Today, I will thank God for being the immovable, steadfast, strong, and eternal Rock. I'll remind myself that I have a safe place to hide my body, soul, emotions, mind, and spirit. My meditations will be on hiding in Him, while my prayers today will be that Holy Spirit continues to lead me to that rock. Maybe I'll move there and just live in that Rock! Will you join me at the Rock?

(This morning's live devotion where I mentioned YOU! lol

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. Maybe He feels all alone too - several scriptures say, I am God alone. (lol - you know I'm just kidding. We gotta laugh sometimes!) I know I can take everything to Him and He fully understands those feelings of abandonment and aloneness. Sometimes, just spreading my heart out before Him is all that it takes for my emotions to shift. I encourage you - if you feel alone right where you are - spread it all out to Him.

One thing I've found encouraging is knowing He is in my now. He's in the right now - present here - whatever here looks like today. He hasn't (and won't) abandon because life got ugly or difficult. He is committed to the journey - and I am committed to Him.

Today, I will remind myself that I am not alone. That someone is with me and that someone created everything by starting with a simple phrase, let there be light. That same God can shine the light of His glory in my heart so that the aloneness is no longer the focus. Today, I will remind myself of His eternal commitment to be with me. I will look for His interactions throughout my day. I'll be thankful that I am not alone because I am hidden in Him. Will you join me?

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

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-home), it's often the right choice. That decision is then followed by tons of new decisions that have to be made. Where do we live? Will I have supplies? Will I have enough money? Will I have help? I'm sure you can add to this list!

As I was thinking about all the decisions I've made over my caregiving years, I must say I regret some and celebrate others. lol. Those who don't understand think I could make it a lot easier on myself by doing it another way. But I just can't. I wondered this morning if they thought the same thing about Jesus. The cross was a decision. He toiled over it in the garden that last night. He even asked Father if there was another way. But then He decided to drink the cup He was given. Hebrews 12:2 says He endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him. We are that joy! I'm so glad He chose to go to the cross, even though I'm sorry He had to endure it.

Do you ever wonder what it would have been like if He'd made another choice? What if He decided to take the easier route and avoid the cross? We would have been affected forever. His single decision to obey the Father and complete the task set before Him gave us more than we could have ever imagined.

Today, I will be thankful that He chose to be my spiritual caregiver. I will specifically thank Him for choosing to dispel the darkness in my heart with His glorious light. I hope to mirror His heart by making hard choices of my own. I will rejoice in the salvation He purchased for us with His own blood, sweat, and tears. I'll remind myself that He ever lives to continue to intercede for us. His blood still speaks. I'm overcome with gratefulness for His decision for me! I'll spend some extra time today just thanking Him for this journey. Will you join me?

Me Too!

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.

Chris watching fireworks on the Fourth of July

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 storm - I found so much comfort in the fact that the Word continued to undergird me and give me hope and life. It was one reason I knew I hadn't committed some grave sin as some suggested. Instead, His word still touched my heart, even though I was in one of the lowest points of my life.

Lately, I've struggled with stuff common to caregivers like loneliness and social isolation. On top of that, my natural solutions are to get out more - but because of the ongoing COVID stuff, I feel stuck. But what comfort comes when I read His word! I read stories about real people who faced real stuff too and just continued to trust God.

Take Job. He lost everything - and that's no overstatement. But he said, even though God slays (kills) me, I will trust Him. I'm like - ME TOO! Take Daniel. He grew up in a hostile environment - he was a slave. Yet when they told him to not pray - Daniel said (in my loose translation) - let me go pray about that! I'm like - yeah, ME TOO! What about the 3 Hebrew children? They were going to be thrown into a fire - a hot, raging real - fire! They said, Our God is able to deliver us. But if He doesn't - we still won't bow. And I say ME TOO!

God is worth trusting. It doesn't matter how hot the fire gets - He is with us firewalkers! No matter what we lose or retain - He is still trustworthy. No matter how alone we may feel, He is with us like He was with all our Bible heroes. I remind myself (and you can listen in) that our Bible heroes are just that because they faced stuff - not because they avoided bad things happening in their lives. Since they didn't live their lives in a bubble, stuff happened to them. Me too! (lol)

Today, I restate my vow to trust God in the no-matter-whats. I reaffirm my heart is set on trusting Him through it all - in the midst of the turmoil, the trials, the tribulation, and the tough times life throws my way. He will always still be my God. I will continue to trust Him - will you join me?

3 Ways Caregivers Can Avoid Burnout and Lead a Healthy Lifestyle

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:

● Applying for a new job or considering freelancing which can allow you greater control over your time and manage caregiving needs better.

● Creating a budget to reduce expenses to pay off debts or generate more funds for healthcare needs.

Additionally, communicate with your loved ones regarding your health and problems. Caregivers often refrain from sharing their concerns as they feel it may make their loved ones feel guilty. However, whether it’s a spouse, parent, or child, they’ll want the best for you as well and could even provide solutions and help improve the situation.

Start Exercising

Exercise is one of the best ways to keep stress at bay and help avoid caregiver burnout. Exercise results in the release of various hormones such as dopamine, oxytocin, adrenaline, etc. These are commonly known as feel-good hormones as they naturally reduce stress levels and promote happier moods.

A simple 20-minute workout a day will significantly reduce stress. This includes going for a jog, practicing body-weight exercises, cycling, etc. Additionally, consider including yoga or meditation as part of your daily routine, as reported by Insider, these activities promote mindfulness and gain clarity of thought. At times when you feel overwhelmed, practicing breathing exercises will help calm your nerves and prevent the situation from escalating into a panic attack.

Learn to Accept Help

While caregivers are first to offer assistance, they’re often reluctant to ask for help. Needing help doesn’t mean you aren’t capable of handling the situation alone or that you’ll burden others with your problems. In reality, by accepting help, you can learn better ways to manage responsibilities, handle stress, and develop a healthier lifestyle. For instance, during stressful situations, rather than sitting alone, pick up the phone and have a conversation with someone you trust, such as a friend, parent, or colleague.

Additionally, not all help needs to be reactive. If you need to travel for work in the near future, ask a family member to be with your loved one during the time you’re away. You can give them a rundown of the routine and the numbers they should call in case of emergencies. Moreover, on days when you’re short on time, request a friend to complete some errands for you, such as buying groceries, collecting documents, etc.

However, if you still feel your mental health deteriorating, don’t hesitate to seek professional health. There are numerous licensed therapists available online who you can meet at a time of your choosing from the comfort of your home. Compared to traditional in-person counseling, online therapy costs less and provides you with a wider variety of professionals to choose from.

As a caregiver, it is common to overlook your needs to dedicate all the time and effort towards helping loved ones. However, to provide them with the level of care needed, it’s important for you to be at your best, physically and mentally. To achieve this, you need to make time for yourself, learn to accept help, and not put the burden of caregiving solely on your shoulders.

Seizing Opportunities

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 reign in our hearts. No matter how crazy it gets out there, we are reminded to stay the course and seize opportunities to share His love and light with a dying world. As caregivers, we are not excluded from the charge He gave all believers to make disciples, to love as He loves, and to reach the lost. While our worlds may look a bit different than "everyone else's", we can still seize opportunities to be like Him as they come our way.

I will seize the opportunity of today to thank God for still loving me, being with me, and providing for me. Today, I will look for open doors to give Him thanks. I will focus my attention on His love, grace, peace, and presence and thank Him and trust Him for today. Will you join me?