Every four days, Steve shouldered a large jug of water and carried it to a building behind the pharmacy. The customer was an older woman, perhaps in her seventies, who lived alone in a dark, sparse and tarnished apartment. A single light bulb hung from the ceiling. The wall paper was stained and peeling. The shades were drawn, and the room was shadowy. Steve would deliver the jug, receive the payment, thank the woman and leave.
“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. Isaiah 40:1 Who do you know today who is suffering? Perhaps you know...
Remember Job was a brokenhearted father and husband, wracked with disease and doubt and grief. His friends heard about his troubles and set out to go and console and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him and they raised their voices and wept aloud. They tore their robes and threw dust in the air upon their heads. They sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.” (Job 2:11-13). His friends were there with him. They sat with him. They did not speak a word for seven days. Wow! To be that kind of care giving friend!
There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep meaning. The folding of the United States of America Flag is one of them.
Have you ever noticed the honor guards pay meticulous attention to correctly folding the American Flag 13 times? You may have thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies. However, the real meaning of each fold of the flag is as follows:
On the Thursday of Holy Week, Jesus had a final dinner with his disciples. It was then that Jesus tied a towel...
How can we care for a person with cancer? Ask Important Questions! Ask, “How are you, today?” and also ask, “What’s going to be the hard part for you?” Be sincere and show them that what they are going through is important to you. Tell them you’re coming over …. Then visit them. Be creative with special treats and conversations that will brighten their days. Even if they say they don’t need anything, that’s when they will most appreciate that you are there.
Jeri Mulder says the following story is what forgiveness looks like: On May 20, 2012, 18 year-old Takunda Mavima...
This week's featured caregiving question comes from Sue. "I'd like caregiving to become a natural part of what my family does together. How can we involve our children in caregiving? How can we especially involve teenagers?"
To respond to this question, I first want to tell a story:
Nancy Vandewater is a member of my church family and she told me several years ago the following story. I believe it embodies the keys to ensuring that our children will grow up to be compassionate caregivers.
