Cultivating Relationships

“If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬


Over the years, I’ve had a few best friends, but my longest friendship began when I was 12 years old. We experienced some difficult times and went through a period of silence. By chance, we eventually reconnected. At that point, I had rededicated my life to God, which transformed my heart, and I aimed to help my friend do the same. When she committed her life to God, I felt truly grateful to be a vessel for His purpose. Tragically, less than a decade after we reconnected, she was diagnosed with cancer and passed away. 

I've come to realize that every individual who crosses our path serves a specific purpose. Some people are meant to stay in our lives for a lifetime, while others are there for a season or a particular reason. Im grateful for each individual. I have learned lessons in each encounter. 

Throughout my experience as a caregiver, I've crossed paths with both familiar faces and new acquaintances, deepening our bonds during this journey.

I've learned that building meaningful connections is not just a matter of luck; it demands deliberate effort. It's crucial to embrace new opportunities and foster a sense of curiosity to nurture these relationships.

God designed us to be in relationships, first with him and second with others.  When He created each living being, He didn’t create just one of its kind. For instance, after making man, He then created woman. Throughout the Bible, we see numerous meaningful connections that illustrate the importance of relationships. The Book of Ruth beautifully demonstrates how God can transform a dire situation into something remarkable. After the loss of her husband, Ruth chose to remain with her mother-in-law. Naomi offered Ruth invaluable wisdom that helped Ruth with survival.

How does this connect to caregiving?

Building relationships with other caregivers can help provide a community filled with the following 

  1. Emotional Support: Caregiving is demanding, but a community offers understanding, empathy, and emotional support, helping to alleviate feelings of isolation.
  2. Shared Knowledge and Resources: A caregiving community enables members to share valuable information, including healthcare tips, financial assistance, and local services. It allows caregivers to learn from others' experiences and discover new resources.
  3. Respite and Assistance: A supportive caregiving community provides practical help, including respite care and shared responsibilities, allowing primary caregivers to take necessary breaks.
  4. Advocacy and Awareness: Communities can unite to advocate for improved policies and services for caregivers, amplifying their call for systemic change..
  5. Improved Well-being: Being part of a supportive community enhances caregivers' mental and physical health by lowering stress, building resilience, and providing companionship.

The importance of establishing a community when caregiving is based on widely recognized principles from caregiving and mental health research. These ideas are grounded in expert recommendations from organizations such as:

  1. Family Caregiver Alliance – They emphasize emotional support, resource sharing, and advocacy as crucial elements in caregiving communities.
  2. AARP – They offer guidance on building caregiving networks and stress the benefits of community in providing practical support and reducing caregiver stress.
  3. National Alliance for Caregiving – Their reports highlight how community involvement can improve caregiver well-being and contribute to collective advocacy for better policies.

In closing, in the words of Hezekiah Walker.  I need you, you need me.  We are a part of God’s body… check out video below 




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Weariness comes and goes

Let us  not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians  6:9  Dear Caregivers:  Ever feel like you're playing a never-ending game of life Jenga? Balancing being a superhero spouse, grandkid wrangler, full-time work wizard, business boss, and volunteer extraordinaire, all while adding caregiving to the mix? Phew! It's like trying to juggle flaming torches while riding a unicycle! It's no surprise you hit the exhaustion wall. So, what's the game plan now? As the solo offspring of my mom, we've hit the switcheroo jackpot – I'm now the mom, and she's the kid! It's like a classic tale of kids turning into parents when their own folks need a hand. I gladly take on this new role with a heart full of love. I'm beyond lucky to share a wonderful bond with my mom, and I'm certain that if our roles were reversed, she'd have my back. That's just the kind of amazing mom she is. When my gran...
Read more

Self care looks different

Self-Care Looks Different for Everyone As caregivers, we hear the phrase “don’t forget to take care of yourself” so often that it can start to feel overwhelming. But the truth is, self-care doesn’t have to look like the picture-perfect images we see online. It doesn’t always mean a spa day, a vacation, or hours of free time that many of us simply don’t have. Self-care looks different for everyone. During my caregiver journey, my self care included going for walks, having a good night sleep, or taking advantage of outings with friends.  However for some of caregivers, it’s enjoying a hot cup of coffee before the day begins. For others, it might be taking five deep breaths in the middle of a tough moment, going for a short walk, or listening to your favorite song. Sometimes self-care is as simple as saying “no” when you’re already stretched thin, or giving yourself permission to rest without guilt. The important thing to remember is this: self-care is not about how it looks on the ou...
Read more

Spouse Caregiving

“Find a good spouse, you find a good life— and even more: the favor of God!” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭22‬ ‭MSG‬‬ I, [Name], take you, [Name], to be my lawfully wedded [husband/wife], to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part" I have been married for nearly 30 years, and we have truly lived out each vow we made to one another. The most difficult one has been dealing with sickness. Witnessing my spouse confront a serious illness is incredibly challenging. In the past decade, my husband has faced multiple serious health issues, resulting in five hospital stays. Fortunately, he has triumphed over every challenge. My time as a caregiver has been somewhat limited lately. I often joke with my husband that his life is like a cat with nine lives.  Although my caregiving role is not extensive, I occasionally assist him with making appointments, attending appointments and deali...
Read more