Waiting on God

Caregiver's Voice

2025-01-02T10:28:00.008-06:00

Caregivers eventually lose their own voices and this is why it is critical that our mental, physical and spiritual healers pay special attention to us.

On average caregivers die before those they are caring for and I believe this is due to the neglect by core teams. But also the ways in which our consumer style systems require us to put things/choices in our carts and purchase them.

Unless it is a critical care item a caregiver is not often able to think about what care they need. And when they do it is very serious and difficult for them to find care.

Second is the critical financial toll that caregiving stresses the entire family. The act of caregiving takes much time that the caregiver cannot work. Or may not being to work at a higher paying job because the caregiving cannot be conducted. Because insurance in the United states is tied to employment this means that caregivers are often not able to access the best care or afford to see a doctor.

What is the answer? System reforms - universal healthcare which includes mental health. Spiritual leaders taught in the art of listening and helping caregivers find their neglected voices. Universal income for all, make less than 500,000 per year? Let's provide you with a monthly amount.

We make so many arbitrary paperwork decisions that impact the mental health of caregivers. Monthly forms, visits, yearly forms, etc. All required for different forms of support if you are fortunate to live in a state that provides it. And God forbids if you make one mistake - or they do on the form. The mental stress is unreasonable and unnecessary.

Help all caregivers voices be heard because one day you will be one or be dependent on a caregiver.

Seed catalogue of ministry/community work

2024-02-13T14:49:00.000-06:00

In cold weather states like Michigan where I live I often get a bit eager to plant my garden. The seed catalog comes in and brings great hope and joy. It makes me think ahead to when we will be able to plant our potato seedlings (purple Peruvian in picture) or whether I should try some new seeds.

Tradition has it in our location to either begin some inside or buy plants for transplanting because our growing season is short. This is why you pay attention to each of the types of seeds and their germination times.

I wish sometimes that ministry/community work was the same. I could go to a catalog see the seeds and know how long it would take for the work we are doing to show "results." The thing is with ministry or community work what are the results worth noting?

Some may say well if we have all the people in a community voting, or a church growing that would show we are being successful. However, community and church work are messier than that and sometimes the ways in which we are experiencing "success" cannot be seen because we are trying to harvest the wrong fruit.

Examples of this are the "side effects" of community or ministry work - people getting to know one another, and not feeling lonely. Or new ways that people show up for each other by talking more or sharing a meal. There are often many side relationships happing or skills being developed that we do not see, and they are very important.

Be hopeful then in whatever way you are planting seeds in your community and may we be encouraged to try new seeds.

Peace!

Post A month

2024-01-10T12:00:00.006-06:00

Thankful for those who push me to do better. This month I am receiving the gift of training - Brene Brown's 'Dare To Lead' is a 12 week course I am taking.

One of the first things I learned is how I have been making myself 'small' in order to not be too much. This has been killing me. Slowly making myself self mute, shrink and not participate or dare say lead as I am called.

Part of my 'un shrinking' will be to speak on this blog once a month. Not sure what I'll be saying or doing yet but I'm not shrinking from what I need to say.

Peace y'all

Caregiving Soul

2023-07-07T14:44:00.002-05:00

Deep within many caregivers is the ability to give and see the ways we can help. It is something we develop over time. This is the caregiving soul.

It is the ability to give care that nourishes and can burn us. Nourishing because we receive joy and a sense of accomplishment. We also like to hear the occasional thank you or you are doing great but often we need to cheer ourselves.

The burning part of caregiving comes when we have overdone and extended ourselves. When we move beyond the scope of what we need to do. As caregiver's we are vulnerable to over doing. And burn out is a all to common reality for all of us - This is why you will need some sunshine skills.

What are sunshine skill? Some examples-

A few people who you can call/text to remind you of your beauty.

Activities that lift you up.

Words of affirmation.

Music that brings you joy

Exercise

Hobbies

Letting the sunshine in helps your caregiving soul receive a respite and expands your ability to love. The key is using a bit of each day to let some sunshine in.

Take good care!

Taking a risk

2022-12-15T09:50:00.001-06:00

This week we went on a long overdue vacation. It was finally achieved after 3 years of planning, and I'll admit post covid a bit of fear. First as someone who provides care for a vulnerable person, we always had to weigh the risk to the benefit. I listened to podcasts, asked doctors and felt I had taken all the appropriate precautions. In other words, I controlled all the things I could. I let the rest go and prayed, hoped and went with a spirit of thankfulness.

Two things we did that also stretched me was I drove an ATV through the jungle and I went on a zipline tour (12) through Honduras. WOW, I was challenged to drive the ATV but managed well and had a great time. For the zipline I had to trust those that were helping me were accurately checking my connections to the zipline! My heart rate went through the roof! Turning 60 while on vacation made me appreciate the gift of life and opportunities to continue to grow.

My note to all of you is to remember three things - Control the risks you can, trust in others on the journey and finally remember that a life worth living involves some risks. Without the risks you cannot enjoy new things, without trust you cannot grow in community and without controlling the risks you can you make yourself vulnerable and hurt community members who rely on you to do your part.

Take a risk, grow and help others in your community along the way.

Peace!

How a picture a day kept the doctor away

2022-10-04T08:58:00.001-05:00

It is hard as a caregiver to answer the question how am I doing? Our day to day focus is on the person we are caring for. Often that means my voice is drowned out and turned down so low that to get attention my body must scream it out. Which means I sometimes notice health items that are in a dangerous stage. I have begun then a new ritual that started with a dress, and a picture a day that help change all that.

A dress? Yes, the 100 day dress challenge where you wear the same dress for 100 days and have to take a picture of yourself with it to provide "proof" so that you can qualify for the gift certificate. During that challenge the day to day picture was a moment to look at myself. To evaluate myself, and to see me for a short space of time. I began the process of the picture to get the 100 dollar gift certificate, but I ended with a process to check in.

I noticed somethings about my weight and health I was not happy with. My doctor had told me my blood sugar was high. And gave me the opportunity to try and fix that by loosing weight and exercise. But the picture really let me see myself, and spend a moment in reflection about what I was doing to care for that person in the picture. During that time I increased my exercise, got a health coach and joined another video health management and lost 26 pounds. It was the day the day check in though that help me really see myself for the first time in a long time.

Today way pass the 100 day dress challenge, I check in with either a picture or a long look in the mirror. I talk to myself I give myself grace, I say kind things to that person. My latest mantra is you are healthy person. I use this particular mantra to assist with my choosing healthy food and exercise activities.

Dear caregiver, spend a few minutes checking in with you and say kind things. Maybe you begin a photo journal of you.

Peace to you,

Pastor Georgia

What will it say?

2022-01-03T10:19:00.002-06:00

I've been thinking about obituaries lately. Maybe its because I am getting older. But reading them lately as friends, family and strangers die, I wonder would the person who died want this written about them? I was googling my dad, and found the link to his obituary from 1969. And noticed how the paper chose to write our names and some points about by dad. It was okay, but there was so much missing about him and his gifts.

I thought what if I write my obituary now? What would it say? Who was important to me that will be mentioned? Do they know how important to me they are now? Or will I let a stranger write my obituary and let it be a shadow of myself.

Writing out our obituary now, helps us to think who and what is important to us and gives us an opportunity to share that now. It may also help you prioritize your time and days.

I am going to write mine this January. Just to see who and what is important, and then try to live into that obituary now.

Peace!

Hope in the caregiving wilderness - Way 14 out of the caregiving wilderness

2021-12-30T15:49:00.002-06:00

Hope is needed everywhere, but in the wilderness of caregiving it is something we must take time to find or create. How do we find hope? Or how do we create it?

Finding hope is something we can strive to look for. When you set yourself to look for hope it is findable. I don't give this suggestion lightly as someone who like many of you is looking at another year of caregiving in the midst of COVID restrictions and less and less help is in site; I know what I am asking of you sounds counterintuitive. But, I will ask you to create one method to try and look for hope in your day. Then write that hope down. Keep a jar of hopeful thoughts, or a journal, or pictures. Something to anchor your placement of it. I have a trigger to make me look for hope. What is it? It is something I know will happen every day. Whenever I see an open door, I ask myself what am I hoping for? If I've already done it that day I may skip it or remind myself to go write it down.

Second, how do we create hope? Hopeful thoughts can be created through daily practices, or anchors. I mention how I use a door to trigger me to remind me to look for hope. But I also have created a practice for myself that if I am writing someone, or talking to someone I must end in hope. This is creating a space for me to think of something hopeful to give that person and in such creating hopeful space for myself.

I also write myself hopeful, thankful messages. Whenever I order a package that offers a gift tag, I write one to myself. Then I save them in my purse to hand out to others. I don't include my name in the "dear" portion, this way the hopeful/thankful note can be shared down the line to anyone.

My hope for you this coming year is that you will give hope a chance to light your way through the wilderness of caregiving.

Peace!

Grief is upon me

2021-08-23T07:36:00.000-05:00

Grief is upon me today. It accompanied me down the stairs into the kitchen. I looked out the window and saw the hawk; in the tree hiding in the foggy damp air.

Grief appears like the hawk did, without warning, and sneaky. The grief I feel is not one thing, like the fog it is many things. Wet and damp everywhere, I try to wipe it off but find another spot. I sit down and the place I sit is wet and heavy.

Then I learn, if I wait, the sun will find me. Warm me up, fill me with light, give me some sense of where I am, who I am. The sun will come eventually, but I must wait. Today I wait.

Feeling alone? Welcome to our caregiving wilderness - Way 13 out of the caregiving wilderness

2021-04-14T06:53:00.014-05:00

My heart is tired lately and feeling alone. And I am sure many of you are feeling the same way. Our caregiving day is at least supported by people who care for us. I am blessed to have support in ways many do not. However, I am wishing for my days when I could just sleep if I wanted, and when I could eat when I wanted; when I could just walk, or run, or work out. Many of you are feeling this perhaps as a first time? Or its new because the ways that you could relax are not available right now. My guess as whether it is new or old it still frustrates the soul to not do what we think we want. The weariness of the burden of caregiving is one that haunts the soul. It sneaks up and sometimes gets us by surprise. So how to deal with this burden of caregiving loneliness? Share it. Share it with those who are walking in your shoes and if they are good listeners they will not judge you or offer weird little ideas on how to "fix it." You know the difference. Unfortunately we have family or friends that do not really understand the loneliness of caregiving.

The second thing besides sharing it is finding something creative to think outside yourself for a bit. Something that you enjoy making that opens up your soul to really listen and express the feelings you need out. For me that is SoulCollage. It offers a way for me to express myself without words. A method to reflect and offer healing. If SoulCollage is something you would like to try I am happy to provide you with the tools to get started. Reach out in the comments with your email and I will respond. Here is a SoulCollage that I created called "Can I come out and play?" It reflects the part of me that needs play.

Can you come out and play a while?

sharing joy and blahs - Way 12 out of the caregiving wilderness

2019-11-12T08:47:00.001-06:00

Life isn't always a bowl

of cherries

The care of others has joyous moments which we are great at sharing, but the 'blah' moments not so much. But to be "real" and to certainly offer a full spectrum of our lives especially with those that love us, blah moments are really important to share.

What are blah moments? Good question as I can't explain them exactly for you but I can give you mine. Blah on google definition:

blah

/blä/

INFORMAL

noun

1.

used to refer to something which is boring or without meaningful content.

"the first 20 pages are a lot of blah about budgets and stuff like that"
2.

NORTH AMERICAN

depression.

"he battled a case of the blahs"

adjective

NORTH AMERICAN

1.

dull or unexciting.

"the game has been very blah"

For our purposes I am speaking about "1" the boring moments or without meaningful content.

What are my blah moments? Laundry, putting medicine together for my son, making beds, helping him sit on the toilet for hours, putting clothes away, dressing, basically every day chores. But why share them? Because if you only share the events that are 'joyous' then people tend to think of caregivers as super human...ridiculous. We have a lot of blah moments- and that's okay. It's hard work being a caregiver and sometimes it's very hard. So part of your caregiving wilderness success story is to remember to share the blahs, let others know. This way we acknowledge them, give ourselves "credit" for the remarkable ways we move through each day even though there were a lot of blahs!

The oasis in the wilderness - Way 11 out of the caregiving wilderness

2019-11-07T08:26:00.001-06:00

Caregiving is a wilderness desert journey and on occasion an oasis will appear. Some of them are fake, and you don't know that until you reach it and see. For example you are given options for support but they never show up. Or a new service for your loved one becomes available only to find out they refuse to serve him such as the Moka and Hope (ironic) in Kent county. They provide no options for our son.

Other oasis turn out to be rejuvenating and can surprise you. Such as a cup of water that shows up in a hospital room, or an unexpected meal. However an oasis appears it will require you to take a moment to check it out, to not lose the hope to try. And sometimes it is okay to say no thank you; I can't check this oasis out today as getting there will take more energy than I have.

I have on occasion sent people to check an oasis out for me, or go with me. This is especially helpful as they can be your advocate. And truthfully having someone with you is always helpful to keep from getting lost.

Peace,

Today's oasis

Caregiving the hardest job

2019-11-06T17:57:00.000-06:00

There are days as a caregiver that you are just done. Thankfully those days don't tend to last long. They tend to come as a long series of exhaustive events. The hardest part is not feeling safe to vent.
If you start to let it out will you be able to stop? Can you eventually cap that stream of frustration?

I am not sure always when I begin if I can stop. But I do know if I don't vent it won't be pretty. So here it is folks. Caregiving sucks. There are times I hate it. I just want to sleep, or take a bath when I want to. I want to be able to go to a movie, gym or read a book. I want to have a whole thought about what I need and not bump it against what others need first.

Caregiving is the hardest job in the world and as I shout this out to the sky... I hope for peace tonight and new strength tomorrow....and a bath.

Listen to your breath - Way 15 out of the caregiving wilderness

2019-08-25T15:33:00.005-05:00

Jeremiah reminded me of the importance of resting. I was trying to clean, do laundry and get the lunch items organized. Jeremiah pulled me to him and made me hold him.
I held him in a hug.
I listened to him breath.
I listened to myself breath.
I watched the sun through the window.
He groaned.
I groaned.
We prayed silently breathing in and out, thanking God for this rest.

May you rest today.

Dear Pharmacist give kindness not pity

2019-07-19T19:59:00.002-05:00

I realize as the evening of Friday approached your words may have sounded "funny" or "kidding" but to me they cut like a knife.

It had been a long week of walls and walls and walls. Calling three different pharmacies to order my sons medicine. Each as we transition to a version of insurance hell - medicaid, had a reason for not filling the medications. I did not succeed in removing any of the barriers this week. Forms, faxes, phone calls and rules.

So when you explained how you could not fill out the medication either and informed me that I would need to call a physician your words stung "Maybe you'll find someone who will take pity,."

Pity? I don't believe I've ever asked for pity. 26 years of getting up between 4-5 am giving medications, nursing out of control seizures, thousands of miles visiting doctors and looking for help. Pity no, kindness and grace.

I didn't ask for pity when we fought an insurance company for surgery while my son suffered from 13 -18 seizures a day.

I didn't ask for pity when his brain tumors grew out of control.

I didn't ask for pity after hours and hours of laundry, meals, cleaning and holding a sick son.

But I would appreciate some kindness. Peace be with you, Rev. Georgia

Fruitfulness - Result of leaving the house of fear

2019-06-12T08:39:00.000-05:00

Fear is in abundance in our lives. It comes slowly, fast, with pictures and with words. It comes on social media, texts, news sources, phone conversations ... it is everywhere.

It is a house we constantly live in if we are not careful. As fear/anxiety is used to control us. There are real and constant dangers lived in situations I cannot imagine. I do not write about them here.

But you can leave the house of fear, if you choose to. It starts with making the decision that you need to be free each day. It is deciding to choose love.

You will be tempted to return. Literally everyone around you and social system has built in fear traps. But if you begin to recognize when you are drawn into a fear conversation or belief, you can remove yourself. Limit your social media, your news intake and evaluate those "friends" who primarily speak about fear

Once you have limited your "fear/anxiety" environment then begin to recognize how you are inviting fear back in. Watch your language on how you evaluate possibilities and how you have been tempted to be "realistic."

Even now as you read this you are thinking but how can I abandoned the real life and not have preparedness for fearful events? You can't abandoned the real life, but you can live it without fear.
One thought I will ask you to think about today. One I am thinking about today. What decisions do I need to make today? What if I make that decision not out of fear but love?

Peace to you,
Rev. Georgia

End of Year Caregiving

2018-12-29T17:20:00.000-06:00

It is the end of 2018 almost... and all I can think about are all the things that did not get done. I’m tired.

It happens in caregiving as you forget all the things done for the other- the ones you are caring for. They seem small as they happen one small event at a time. So far this year I have:
-made 1000 meals
- ordered 60 prescriptions
- called 12 medical providers and 75 insurance help lines
- completed 700 loads of laundry
- shopped for the household 55 times
- more than 365 hours sitting, singing, praying or silently hanging with Jeremiah
- travelled 400 miles for appointments

As I continue to ponder I guess 2018 has been a full year! I hope you will celebrate all your caregiving activities. The world is a better place because of you.

WHY do I care what 'he' thinks?

2018-10-05T12:31:00.001-05:00

I have been reading a scholarly writing. Which is a bit like watching paint dry unless you are interested then you notice the color, sheen and appearance in details that only the nerdy in that subject matter care.

The book is called "Egeria: Diary of a Pilgrimage" by George E. Gingras, PHD.

It is about a woman named Egeria who was a pilgrim and made trips all around the middle east area attempting to cover biblical locations. She was from Spain and her writings are still used today throughout the world as our method of "church worship" style. And as all scholarly writings the first part is trying to show how it is "real" and what time period she came from. As with most writings of this style the writer is trying to legitimize, and guess the timing of her writings. They use writers of the period, and history to match up where she fits in the time line.

The book uses the writings of St. Jerome to determine when she existed. My thought is, how do we know that St. Jerome didn't use her writings to write his? Why do we assume that the man's writing came first?

Hence my thinking today why do I care what "he" thinks?

Just thought I throw that one out there today. What are you prioritizing based on someone priorities?

Me choosing instead to begin prioritizing on what gives me joy and keeps me on the pilgrim's path of loving God & neighbor.

Way 9 Out of Caregiving loneliness " Make your I statements and Make the call!

2017-12-04T08:09:00.001-06:00

One thing I have noticed over the years is how people (including myself at times) are lonely. Even though they are in places with many people such as a crowded room, a church, a large family, marriage etc. The ability to find the way to communicate in midst of loneliness is difficult and can seem over bearing. I am lonely today as I've been a "2nd shift widow" for almost 3 months (my husband is working 2nd shift).  As caregivers we don't often talk about our needs and this is one...I'm lonely sometimes.

The last time I felt particular lonely was during the intense illness of our son Jeremiah who was having uncontrollable seizures for about 10 days which felt like a year. During this time I didn't get much sleep, my conversations were short, I couldn't focus, pray, or anything. I found all my spiritual, physical and mental states were all depleted. For caregivers this type of event creates a "loneliness kindling."  All our conversations are about the other, very intense and few if any of them are about our own needs.

Then usually there is a match event. A further need of intense care of those impacted by the event. Our other children's needs, spouse, work and of course all the day to day things that got left undone - bills etc. When the match is lit I am feeling so alone that I am unable to find myself or God.

This last time my loneliness was intense I found these things helped...although extreme. I travelled to a 3 day breast cancer event. I walked 60 miles over 3 days, slept when I wanted, talk to strangers, listened, and ate what I wanted. I only had to care for myself. I prayed, I walked, I ate, I slept. I began to use I statements. Because I was actually just caring for myself and not -every-one-else.

My friend, if you are finding yourself lonely in crowded places or by yourself do these things.  Clear your mind, to do list and other statements. Connect spiritually with God and listen to yourself.  Create some I statements - I would like to, I am wanting to, I am feeling, I am beautiful (because damn right you are). Find your voice again then call someone and listen to them.  Tell them some of your I statements, help them make I statements! Guess what your phone that you scroll on, Facebook on actually can be used to call someone. I would love to talk to you. And so many other people would too.

Peace!

Camino step one we cut our hair

2017-09-02T15:06:00.000-05:00

We decided to simplify our pilgrim experience by cutting our hair and having less to deal with. In July we both went to the hair dresser and off it came. A big pile on the floor.

As I felt the lightness of my hair and a peace of one thing less to carry along. That is a bit of what preparing for a pilgrimage is about. Thinking about what you don't need for the journey. Eliminating the distractions and those things that keep you from completing your journey.

I then looked to other parts of my life and said the same. What do I really need? With the help of a very good friend, I emptied an entire room filled with boxes and junk. Honestly why did I have that there? For 2 years that room sat that way with unused items from a move, where we probably hadn't looked in the boxes for 15 years before that.

I still have a few closets and cupboards to review. But what I have learned is once you start it gets easier and easier to let go. And even better I look at things before buying it and say do I even need it?

Less is more is my mantra on this transition to pilgrim.

Peace,

Way 8 Out of the Caregiving Wilderness - Saying No

2017-05-11T09:44:00.001-05:00

Saying no is difficult but essential to leaving the caregiving wilderness. I've been practicing for almost a year now and have had the most difficult time.

I love to say yes. I love to be active, busy and 'productive.' But what I have learned about saying no is it brings a new form of productivity.

Lets review my before and after pictures. Before I was saying yes to almost everything and was so spread out I didn't "have time" for almost anything that gave me joy.

Shadow of my former self:

I would run from activity to activity barely moving beyond the surface which was causing me to be a shadow in my own life. I was tired, and cranky. I was unable to go deeply into the joy in a moment before snatching up and going to the next item. Therefore last fall, I slowly started saying no. Then finally gave myself permission to always saying no.

At first this was very hard, as I was invited to beautiful opportunities. Which honestly I feel so many things I am invited to participate in are beautiful and wonderful. Finally I became more comfortable with saying no and pushing back even on work assignments that really seemed out of sync with my workload and skill sets. I was able to finally listen to my body and ask what do you want? What dear soul do you need?

This is what I was able to hear about myself. I needed to work out, pray and eat better. I lost 25 pounds. I had the opportunity to work out with Jillian Michaels- I said yes and am going in July! I gave the gift of going to Australia to my husband to meet his grandson and had the time to pick up the extra activities at home. I said yes to going on a pilgrimage with my son in September!

This is me now. As I look at new opportunities - I default to no. I listen to my body, spirit and slowly say to what I need and who I am authentically called to be.

Peace be with you!

Way 7 out of Caregiving Wilderness- Being part of a Community

2017-04-24T09:40:00.001-05:00

The thing about community...you don't always know you need it until you are in the midst of them. Here we are singing as part of our annual L'Arche

retreat. All join as they are ready and continue to sing throughout the weekend.
Getting ready to participate in art, stories is a way to reconnect.

Community group events are like Oasis in the desert of caregiving. Caregivers and those we love need communities to share our lives with. We "get" each other in ways no one else can. Although sometimes I feel a bit grumpy about group events because of exhaustion usually, I always return reinvigorated. This says a lot about a person who rather spend 99% of her day alone...not kidding!

If you do not have a regular group of people you gather with to have fun or hang with it is time you find one. There are many community groups out there. Some meet yearly and some monthly. If you don't have one start one. There are many people like you needing an Oasis in their lives of caregiving!

Plus where else do I get to wear crazy hats and outfits!
Peace!
Georgia

Rainbows On My Floor

2017-04-17T17:40:00.000-05:00

Recently I've noticed rainbows on my kitchen floor. They are created by the prism that is in my window and usually appear in the morning between sunrise and 9:30 am. They happen to show up usually right after the busiest part of my morning.

Just like the floor rainbows I have come to realize that blessings don't always appear in the manner we think they should. Face it we all try to tell God where, and how, and why we need to be blessed.

I suspect with me it is part of being a caregiver. I have to plan everything, shouldn't I plan the blessings too?

My rainbows show up on my dirty kitchen floor. Where I need reminded that I am loved, and God's promises always come through. I am simply blessed because I have a kitchen floor. Its dirty because I have a family to love and plenty to feed them. My floor rainbows remind me of my daily blessings.

Peace!

Love yourself

2017-01-15T16:16:00.001-06:00

A friend asked me this week how I was doing. I couldn't answer that simple question. It took that question to help me really listen to me again. You see I am a caregiver. And even after over 30 years of doing this I still can fail at listening to me.

As a caregiver I am totally caring for the other. So much that I cannot hear my own body speak back to me. My soul, body and mind often taken back seats. When I go to bed at night - exhausted I often do a quick listen. This helps me unload troubles I carry in my heart. Helps me to name to the Holy Spirit, and think for a moment about what is needed.

In the mornings I book end that check in after Jeremiah goes to school with a more gentle listening through reading and prayer. However this weeks schedule was interrupted by an electrical outage, ice and school cancellations. I came to Sunday finally able to hear I'm sick.

I went to the doctor today and when they asked how long I've had this - I was embarrass to say 6 days. I knew I was sick but would not listen. I'm on the mend with antibiotics and lots of fluids. But the next illness may not be so simple. My word for you today dear caregiver is listen to your body and to your needs. Don't wait and love yourself.

Jesus says in the book of Mark - love your neighbor as yourself.

You cannot love others without loving yourself first.

Me loving myself this past New Year's Eve sharing my smores!

Peace be with you!

Post Election Blues

2016-11-09T10:57:00.000-06:00

I woke up this morning early – Jeremiah doesn’t care about the presidential results. He doesn’t care about who our president or elected officials are. All he cares about is love shown with hangers, coffee, pizza, warmth, car rides and veggie tales. As usual he quickly brought me to reality this morning as he began his morning singing at 4:58am.

After helping him through his morning routine – coffee, bathroom, hanger, veggie tales, medicine, coat, back pack, prayers, and down to the bus…I began to really feel my own sadness.

I sat with my sadness and yours trying to answer messages, emails of despair, and cries for help. But I found out as usual that I am not enough.

I will never be enough and neither will any elected leader. Only one will be enough – Jesus Christ. Jesus asks us in Matthew 11:28 to come to him: Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Come under Christ’s care today and bring it all. ALL your burdens and sadness and take time to lament with Christ. Remember that grief brings anger, exhaustion, and the desire to hide and pretend it didn’t happen. Today of all days, reach out to Jesus Christ and find peace.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I invite you to pray. I invite you to love.

Peace be with you,

Rev. Georgia Hale