I have had the added responsibility of being a caregiver the past five years. My grandmother who will be turning 91 in a week and also my great aunt who has gone home to be with the Lord now. These two sweet (not always) ladies have given me frustrations and blessings. My great aunt was diagnosed with dementia and if you have never dealth with dementia then you have no idea what we went through. I can recall her calling my mom one time and telling her that she had kangaroos in her backyard. We all live in Michigan, so no kangaroos. Dementia is a sad disease, it is hard to watch a loved one lose their mind and faculties. I highly recommend that you need to keep your sense of humor. That worked for all of us as we took care of my great aunt. Our greatest blessing in disguise is that she suffered a horrible stroke and that took her instead of watching her slowly die from the results of dementia. God is good all the time!
My grandmother is my other major concern now. She is a stubborn (wonder where I get it from?) woman. She calls is "determined". She had a fall back in December which left her with a permanently broken shoulder. She refuses to move out of her home and insists that she can take care of herself. She does not see how much we do for her to keep her in her own home.
This has become very overwhelming for me as I am homeschooling my three kids and one of them will now be a freshman in highschool. My plate has become full and I have grown weary from the burden of caregiving. I love my grandmother and want her wishes followed, but I just feel overburdened. I feel like it's only up to me.
This is when God shows me verses and brings me out of my pity parties and lets me know I am not alone and the promises He has given us. I really enjoy the book of Hebrews! I have found many verses to be applicable to my life right now. Hebrews 6:10 says, "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." The following verses after this tell of our inheritance that has been promised.
What a great God we serve! He will give us an inheritance, He is not unjust. He knows what I am going through! He knows my burden and He promises that if I keep up my work I will be rewarded! That definetly snaps me out of my self pity party and puts the focus back on God where it should be in the first place. I encourage you to read through Hebrews as well. Especially if you are in a caregiver moment.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Cheerleaders
Cheerleaders? You mean those cute perky girls who jump all around and do backflips, splits and all sorts of crazy chants? NO, I just had to use this as a title because it sounds good. The more appropriate word is Encourager.
I ran my 5K Saturday and I hit my goal of making the 3.1 miles in under 40 minutes! I was very happy with myself. But even better was having my "cheerleaders" there watching me and yelling for me to finish my race. One of my sons even ran some of the tail end of the race with me and was coaching me "Come on Mom, you got this!" My family gave me wonderful support and encouragement Saturday morning. I was so nervous; my mouth was dry, my hands were shaking, I was confused on where to go and getting my registration packet. But my calm husband just gently lead me to the right place and helped me with my timing device. He was being a very understanding cheerleader!
I was thinking back of the race and of all the preparation for this 5K and how my friends and family have been my cheerleaders and it reminded me of Ecclesiastes 4:9 - 12, "Two are better than one, because they get a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three starnds is not quickly broken."
Many times during my training runs my children would ride their bikes along beside me and encourage me to keep going. Sometimes they would be out playing in the yard and when I passed by I would get my cheerleaders spurring me on to the next loop. Or having a friend running right along side me; training for the same big event. What a great feeling! To know that I have cheerleaders out there who love me and wish for me to do well in my endeavors! And just think I have an even bigger cheerleader who will never leave me and is always rooting for me! I am truly blessed!
I ran my 5K Saturday and I hit my goal of making the 3.1 miles in under 40 minutes! I was very happy with myself. But even better was having my "cheerleaders" there watching me and yelling for me to finish my race. One of my sons even ran some of the tail end of the race with me and was coaching me "Come on Mom, you got this!" My family gave me wonderful support and encouragement Saturday morning. I was so nervous; my mouth was dry, my hands were shaking, I was confused on where to go and getting my registration packet. But my calm husband just gently lead me to the right place and helped me with my timing device. He was being a very understanding cheerleader!
I was thinking back of the race and of all the preparation for this 5K and how my friends and family have been my cheerleaders and it reminded me of Ecclesiastes 4:9 - 12, "Two are better than one, because they get a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three starnds is not quickly broken."
Many times during my training runs my children would ride their bikes along beside me and encourage me to keep going. Sometimes they would be out playing in the yard and when I passed by I would get my cheerleaders spurring me on to the next loop. Or having a friend running right along side me; training for the same big event. What a great feeling! To know that I have cheerleaders out there who love me and wish for me to do well in my endeavors! And just think I have an even bigger cheerleader who will never leave me and is always rooting for me! I am truly blessed!
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