The Caregiver’s Caregiver
The ultimate caregiver could easily be God - a model of what caregivers aspire to be.
In a way, each person is a caregiver. As a mother, father, teacher, teacher assistant, therapist, doctor, aunt, uncle, etc., each person is a caregiver in their own right.
The main way I am a caregiver is the honor and blessing of being a mama to a child with special-needs. I was a teen mom and when my oldest turned 2 and was diagnosed with autism. So, at that time I learned how to be a woman, how to be a mother, and how to be a special-needs mom. During this time, I went through the emotions of grieving the child I anticipated I would be have and came to terms with the fact that my daughter would have challenges and need extra support in life. After feeling devasted, I felt an unexplainable peace and joy from God that she would be okay and that our lives would be in His hands. Through many years of trial and error, attending workshops and classes with nonprofits, researching, receiving appropriate therapies, full faith in God, the BEST support system of family and friends (you know who you are and I'm so grateful for you) I can whole heartedly say that God has equipped me to be my daughter's caregiver.
My job as her mother is to raise her well and prepare her to live a fulfilling life on her terms and that she grows into a self-sufficient, successful woman in whatever she wants in life. My goal as her caregiver and mom is to not do everything for her and to push her to her greatness.
Whether you are a typical caregiver or an a typical caregiver, God is your ultimate caregiver. Rest and relax in God's arms and know that he has your life in his hands.
While caregiving, some things to remember are: take care of your health so that you can care from your overflow, serve from a servant's heart, rest in God’s presence, ask for help when needed, make yourself and important relationships a priority, be intentional with your time, have healthy boundaries, schedule breaks throughout your day and week, and love the person that you are caregiving for.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank you for this beautiful caregiver. Thank you for creating her and giving her a heart like yours. You formed her in her mother’s womb and created her for a great purpose, that brings glory to you, caring for others. Meet her where she is at on her caregiving journey and meet all her needs and those of the ones in her care that you entrusted her with.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Personal reflection:
1. What does caregiving look like for you in this season of your life?
2. What are ways to serve others with a servant’s heart?
3. Who is the main caregiver? How do I find rest?
Goal setting and sharing: List 3 goals that you would like to accomplish (at home, at work, with family, etc.) that will allow you to live out your purpose regarding Health:
MAY LINE UP: LIVING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE MENTALLY, SPIRITUALLY AND PHYSICALLY.
Gather Her, May 9th! Join us for this month's Gather Her with Candace Smith, The Suchy Much
Podcast:
May 14th: How to Launch a Business with Melissa Grant
May 28th: Loving Yourself Past Your Pain, with Gather Her speaker, Candace Smith
Weekly Devotionals every Monday & Wednesday:
God, Gluten, & Grace
The Caregiver’s Caregiver
Brain Boot Camp, or How to Shed Unwanted Thoughts
Good morning Jesus
