To the new mom, the seasoned mom, to the single mom, the soccer/baseball etc. mom, to the busy homemaker, and, of course, the Caregiver ... Take care of yourself. This is a must. Pencil it into your busy schedule right now. I know, so much easier said than done. It's complicated, right? It doesn't have to be. Some of us just need to chill with a book, others need to go skydiving. I come under the chill-with-a-book
Nevertheless, we need rest, we need fun, or looking after others will become a burden. God sees, He's aware, and He allows us to be selfish, for lack of a better word, with our time once in a while ... Refresh, Renew, Redeem, Revive!
 |
| Forevermore: Poetry, Prayers, and Scriptures for the Caregiver |
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. ~Isaiah 40:28-31
A little side-note kind of story happened when I was preparing lunch one day. I was feeling rather chipper (my new word for happy) and lost track of time. Dad must have been hungrier than I thought and all of a sudden I hear this huffing and puffing from around the corner.
Panic struck as I watched Dad pumping his arms and walking like a young man and woo hooting as he went along. I was sure he was going to fall but he was fine. Maybe it was the orange essential oil steaming from the diffuser, or the coffee he drank. Or maybe it was God sending a care package of strong bones and a healthy mind ... even for only a couple of days.
Dad thanked the Lord many times that day and cried like a baby, reminding himself that God, Emmanuel, is still with him.
For me I heard the praises: Good job; you're a great caregiver, well done, keep it up, you're doing something right. A caregiver can never get enough of that. But I don't know. It was God showing up, and He shows up all the time. Count your blessings, my friend.
We want to take care of them well; we'll have to take care of ourselves. Click here for a few Life Hacks or as we call it: How To Stay Emotionally Healthy.
In my spare time I love writing. It's not easy when creativity is constantly interrupted by a wheelchair ride to the bathroom, cooking 3 meals a day and finding healthy snacks, doctors' appointments, and you're probably familiar with the list. But I schedule those minutes when I can read and write ... and do social media.
I did manage to complete my book, Forevermore: Poetry, Prayers, and Scriptures for the Caregiver. It's not the usual stuff I write (Christian science fiction, Fantasy, and Horror, yeah Horror) but God has given me another writing task. And I love it. And He inspired me to write poetry, because inspiration comes hard these day ... and I'm not a poet.
What has God given you in those quiet moments? Maybe it's not what you expected, but with God, it's always better, amazing, and purposeful.
Things I Try to Make Time For
1. Swimming with my friend Julie (She keeps me sane and laughing)
2. Grab a cup of coffee and a cake pop
3. Read a book
4. Church (I guess that should be number 1)
5. Visit and walk through model homes and dream (Thy will be done, Lord)
6.My garden (My inheritance. I need a whole lot of help with this, the fruit abounds)
7. Look at the stars
8. Visit family
9. Celebrate Holidays
10. Go to the beach (haven't made it yet this summer but will get there)
11. Write a book ... Did I mention I wrote a book?
Send me your list, I'd love to see it.
A Caregiver's Prayer
When I can't find a moment to breathe, Lord, will You be the breath in my lungs? Lead me to rest, to waters so still. And thank you for breezes on hot summer days when jasmine releases its fragrance in praise.
Beloved Caregiver
In Morning Sunlight
Did you hear my voice this morning?
I called out your name
When you watered the garden
I did the same
You will grow like a mustard seed
With branches so strong
As I planted you close
To the waters falls
As you rest and you marvel
At what we have done
All your worries and burdens
Fade into the sun
No comments:
Post a Comment