What do you see when you are caring for another person? Do you see someone who is a burden, an irritation, an old needy person, or do you look for the strength and beauty of God's image in that person? Do you help, in your method of caregiving, to preserve that person's dignity?
This is Elvis Evans. I am a former student of yours from way back in the days of 1977-78.
I do not think I ever had an opportunity to thank you. You were instrumental in the successes I have enjoyed in my life. In 1977, I was a lost kid looking for someone to understand me. I wore a hearing aide, which was an anomaly back then. I was also epileptic and wore orthopedic shoes, which back then only came in one style; wing tip.
It is extremely important for the caregiver to take good care of him or herself as well as the care-receivers. CareGiving can be a thankless, exhausting job and it may seem selfish to take care of oneself when the care-receivers require so much attention. To fail to do so, however, can be destructive. Jesus said, "Love God....Love Neighbor...Love Self."
The following guidelines are for care givers who feel overwhelmed, tired, frustrated, lonely, or like a "Caged Bird
When someone we care for is hurting, we are tempted to rush in with a "quick fix" to help make the person feel...
Note to readers: this is an excerpt from my book The Compassionate Congregation, in which Glenda shares her story...
