Tag Archives: family

Hope and Encouragement for Busy Times

words of hope and encouragementWe all need words of hope and encouragement for busy times today.

To the gals and guys who get my newsletter—this one’s for you personally! Whether you are parents, child, family, friend, neighbor, or caregiver; I want to share some personal words of hope with you.

Today I want to offer much-needed encouragement.

Whether you are at ease in Zion right now and you have life in hand or you are stretched and stressed to the limit, this one is for you.

Maybe you know me real well and know where I’m going with this column. Perhaps we have never met (yet) and you are ready to quit reading! I know the “I don’t have time for this” feeling! Well, hang on and let’s see where we end up!

You really are important to me.

First, I want you to know you really are important to me as an individual. The very fact that you made time in your busy life to sign up for my newsletter is a blessing! The few minutes you allow reading my ramblings could probably be used in many other ways; I thank you for giving me space in your day.

I pray for you when you leave a personal note.

Secondly, this column is to thank those of you who have taken your precious time to drop me a note. It’s helpful to know what you are dealing with and how an article has helped you in some way. It also gives me direction as I prepare to write each week. I read each one carefully and prayerfully.

You are a caring friend as you share with others.

A special “thank you” goes to you who have forwarded the newsletters on to others in your circle who need encouragement. What a caring friend you must be to be sensitive to the needs of those around you.

Here is the bottom line:

Today I prayed for you—individually, by name or by e-mail address, as I went down my list. I do not know each of you and some I do not recognize by your e-mail addresses. (By the way, some of you are certainly creative in that respect, I could never guess who-or what- you were!)  

For your times of doubt and frustration, I prayed from Proverbs 3:5-6 that God would help you “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding … “.  

For assurance I prayed for you from John 3:16 that you would remember “for God so loved the world (YOU) that He gave … “. I hope you have learned to personalize God’s Word; put your name in the verse; He wants you to know He loves you!

It was an honor and blessing to pray individually for you today.

How exciting to experience the richness of God’s family working together to care for one another. I challenge you to keep on working, hoping, praying for others as we learn together how to be encouragers in our world.

Hugs,

Have you watched my Book Trailer to the right of this article? That’s my precious momma!  Feel free to share this with a friend who needs a little hug today! Check out my store tab or Amazon.com for My Mother My Child.

6 Keys to Easing Strained Relationships

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6 Keys to Easing Strained RelationshipsTreasure what you have now; be ready for change.

My husband was my greatest encourager during the years we were caring for Mother. He was always ready to help me physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He carefully guided me through each decision but let me make the final call.

We had spoiled each other—we enjoyed talking, playing, and working together. At first Mother’s care was minimal and my husband and I continued our daily routines. I never realized how our relationship suffered as I gradually spent more time and energy on her needs and less on his. Although this shift was inevitable, I learned some simple tips that made the changes easier. Perhaps these tips will help you in your situation.

Become aware of your specific needs; then act.

#1. Take time to ask your family or friends how the current situation affects them. Do they feel slighted? Are there needs they have you can still provide? Do they feel left out?

#2. Realize you cannot go back to the way it was; life does not stay the same for anyone. The commitment to care for someone means your life and those around you will change.

Grow better or bitter, the choice is ultimately yours.

My husband is precious, but he does not prepare meals, do laundry, or make the beds. That wasn’t an issue with the two of us; or with the children home. After Mom came, I did, however, catch myself envying those whose husbands could help in that way. Note: the Lord has a way of reminding us what really matters, and it’s not that sink of dirty dishes!

#3. Refuse to dwell on what you cannot change. Live in the present and make the most of it. Be open to new ideas, new ways of doing things. If you are set in your ways like I am, this can be a difficult step, but well worth the journey. I remind myself daily, it is people and not things that are important.

#4. Develop a new plan. What is it that you can do to encourage those around you? Does it seem you are pushing them away because of your busy-ness? Can you change your schedule to accommodate some of their needs as well?

#5. Accept help when offered, even when you know the task will not be done “right”. This was difficult for me. I learned it was okay if the towels were folded incorrectly or dishes and groceries were put in the wrong places.

#6. Find a smile and see it reflected time and again on those around you. I am always amazed at the difference a simple smile makes. Try it on yourself—right now. Face a mirror with your eyes closed, smile real big and look at yourself. (Did you chuckle?)

There will always be changes in our lives. Parents, kids, grandkids, other family and friends move in and out of our lives seeking love and nurturing. With God’s help we can learn to look up instead of down and enjoy the journey.

Hugs,

(Information for this article was taken from my book, MY MOTHER MY CHILD.)

Caregiver Alert: A Little Happy Goes a Long Way

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a little happy goes a long way

Today, let us count some happy!

We are bombarded with heavy news: he said, she said, they did …! We need encouragement. I am gonna get outa this rut and find some happy. I promise, p-r-o-m-i-s-e, you will find some happy too!

Five reasons to be happy today.

#1 I’m happy because I can read. Seriously? Yes! Last week we had casserole with hot, hot peppers in the chopped tomatoes because I didn’t take time to read the label. We don’t do hot peppers!  What about those shoppers that brave the stores and cannot read labels?

#2 I’m happy because I can open my door and breathe in fresh, clean air. No raging war outside my door, no fires, no starving wee ones on the corners.

#3 I’m happy because I chose to care for Mother, hubby, family. Not everyone has someone to care for. God entrusts us with loved ones; then He enables us to care for them and love on them, even when the road gets rough at times.

#4. I am happy because I have a bed to crawl into, a chair to rest in, a refrigerator with good food and fresh water to drink. Many, many, many do not!

#5 I am happy because I have friends to write letters to and friends who share their burdens and joys with me. Friends like you, dear ones, who make my life happy by simply sharing in it.

And, I have a Friend, Jesus, I can talk to everyday. He shares my joys, my sorrows, and knows my deepest needs. I pray you know Him, too. He can make the heaviest day a happy one as we learn to leave our burdens with Him.

Have a great week.

Check out my articles in a new book from Springfield Writer’s Guild: Creative Collections. Short stories and poems are a great way to find a little happy when time is short and you need a pic-me-up.