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Smeshque: Yes, so very true. While we may strive to do all the things that we must do, we will fall short unless we have God on our side.
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Help us, Lord, to see ourselves
Through your loving eyes,
To see what you see in us
And to come to realize


That everything that we possess
Comes directly from you,
The gifts, the talents you've placed within
Are there for us to use


To reach with hope to those that hurt,
To those who've lost their way
It's your gifts, Lord, they're not our own,
So take them, Lord, we pray


And use them for your glory,
So others may be blessed
And have their spirits lifted
And their souls also refreshed


So they can then be challenged
To seek more after you,
To be much more empowered
For whatever they may do


For each of us have talents
That God has placed within
So we can encourage others
To have a closer walk with Him


And as we encourage another,
We can be encouraged ourselves,
For there needs to be a continual flow
And a continual pouring out


And as we do this, we will find
Insecurities will disappear
And we’ll be strengthened in His love
To overcome our fears.

By M.S.Lowndes
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Champions with a Cause: An Ode to Caregivers

by Angela Shaw
Print



A bather, a baker, a yummy meal maker.

A caregiver is this and more.

Just how much does a caregiver do?

It’s impossible to try to keep score!



A caregiver is a chef.

They can cook almost anything.

But given the choice of homemade or not,

All agree that take-out is king!



A caregiver is a coach.

Who keeps you in the game.

Sometimes they may seem bossy,

But they love you just the same.



A caregiver is an EMT.

They can fix any cut, scrape or bruise.

They respond to every emergency,

As if they had something to lose.

A caregiver is a soldier.

They defend, protect, and serve.

A heartfelt smile is their greatest reward,

But a medal they really deserve!



A caregiver is a chauffeur.

To appointments through traffic they’ve fought.

Speed barriers they break to get there on time.

And somehow they never get caught!



But most of all...



A caregiver is a trusted friend.

Who’ll listen, encourage, console.

And caring for their loved one,

Is their honor and ultimate goal.
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It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
Psalms 18:32
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I have been struggling these last few days with guilt. I live with guilt, since childhood. But, I believe the Lord and try and cast all my cares on HIM. But, as a human I still have my mental defects, I guess you could say.
I went back to work outside the home business. I am feeling so guilty. Wondering did I do it for selfish reasons? I reasoned it all out with adding to our income to clear up some debt. But, the Lord has always provided. So did I do it just to run away from my everyday? I don't know. I cannot yet make sense of it. but, I am in prayer about it and waiting for the Lord to guide me and make sure I am where HE wants me to be, or if I need to reevaluate. So I am in wait mode.

" Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." Psalms 27:14
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I don't plan to have time to hang onto guilt as it is a negative force. I am a positive person. A person, if they are able, should attempt to plan accordingly for their own financial needs, which is what you are doing dear Smeshque.
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Thank you LL.

Just working on being still....

“Be still, and know that I am God...”
Psalms 46:10
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Smeshque: You're welcome. Trusteth always in Elohim!
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True LL-Elohim is faithful and Just. Just as Yeshua is the way the truth and the light.
We had a good day trip for DH birthday. I am pretty tired. Mom had a great time and went to bed early she was tuckered. She has been waking up super early lately, thinking about things she says. But never says what those things are, just things. I worry about her. But put it in the Lords hands. She is very dear to me and I just want her to be spiritually well and physically well, and emotionally well.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
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“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”
Galatians 5:13
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Smeshque: This post just came up today, but it is 4 days old. So glad that your trip was good. Sorry to hear about issues with your mom. She is still relatively young so perhaps it will pass. I say any mother who is younger than my  late mother (94) is young. Get some rest, dear.



Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
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A Prayer for the Caregiver
by Bruce McIntyre

Unknown and often unnoticed, you are a hero nonetheless.
For your love, sacrificial, is God at his best.
You walk by faith in the darkness of the great unknown,
And your courage, even in weakness, gives life to your beloved.
You hold shaking hands and provide the ultimate care:
Your presence, the knowing, that you are simply there.
You rise to face the giant of disease and despair,
It is your finest hour, though you may be unaware.
You are resilient, amazing, and beauty unexcelled,
You are the caregiver and you have done well!

(Insert words by me--I think this is oftentimes the epitome of the caregiver).
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Thank you for the poem LL, very thoughtful one.
The couple we visit a couple of days weekly(well, I haven't been able to except yesterday after services, but DH and Mom still go almost everyday now), well, she had fallen and broke her ribs, was in the hospital a few days, then they released her, then she went back to the hospital a few days ago, due to low oxygen levels. Went to see her yesterday, not doing so well, and he couldn't keep from crying, watching his dear wife in this state. But, we made her smile and held her hand and just talked with her, and her laughter made him feel better. Only she is not breathing well at all. They sent her back to AL and have now put her on hospice. :(
So sad and heavy to watch those we love go through these tough and sad days. But, we pray with them and just be there with them as oft as we can. DH rearranges his days to make sure to put visiting them first, especially in this difficult time. God's will be done.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:13
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Dear Smeshque: You're welcome for the caregiving poem. I am so sorry about that lady. That is quite sad.
Sending prayers posthaste.
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Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2

I have just really been holding onto this verse these days. The Alpha and the Omega.
Faithful is he that promised.
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Befitting for you today, Smeshque: 
Revelation 22:13


"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
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Today was a sermon on pride. It is quite difficult as humans not to succumb to that pride. We live in a self serving world, of instant gratification and a "ME" culture. Or a "selfie" culture.
But just look what happened to Nebuchadnezzar and his son Belshazzar.
Pride goeth before destruction.
As caregivers we often have to swallow our pride, to overlook what we feel or want, in the best interests of our loved ones.
But, the strength and patience and all the growth as a person, is escalated above what we would be if we chose not to set ourselves aside.


James 4:10
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
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Well said, Smeshque!
Proverbs 11:2
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom."


Proverbs 16:18
"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."


Proverbs 29:23 "One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor."
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The lady is still holding on. She was moaning quite a bit today, so they gave her more morphine. I am so sad for all involved and keep praying. The saddest thing is to watch a grown man weep, her husband. He is so grief stricken. It is heart wrenching. And on top of that My Mom cried over my Dad being gone. All this has brought back her own grief. But, the saddest of that is, this is the first time I have seen her cry over my Dad. She has been so strong. At least in front of me. But, now I have seen it and now I am feeling so sad for her and am not sure what to do. Just keep praying, the best thing I can do for anyone. God is Good!


Romans 12:15
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
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Smeshque: I am so sorry for this grief you have had over the lady. Please know that I prayed for you at church tonight.


John 14:1-4 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”
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Greetings, All!!!

I have been off line for quite a while and recently started posting again. Mainly because I was tied up dealing with so many things and anxiety as well as preparing for a trip to see my son in Korea.

I have not caught up but just reading the poem on caregiving was uplifting and so real. I don't think its a coincidence that I happen to read news feed and a post from this thread caught my attention.

Moringings I say a few words to God. I thank him for things and then express my heart. I somehow left my new testament on plane. I visited my son's office and he happened to have two of the same bibles and gave me one which I started reading. Its a leadership bible and I am learning how to use it.

So this am I wasn't really surprised when I ended up posting here.

My cousin who has had a few previous bougts with cancer now has ca in the lungs and stomach. Please pray for her.

I hope you are all in good spirit and health.

Rays of love peace and happiness to you all.
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DD- what a blessing it was to see your post. I am so glad you have been feeding your spirit with God's word.
I will definitely be praying for your cousin.
I hope you had a lovely visit with your son. I am sure the Lord delights in your mornings with HIM.


LL- Thank you for your concern, and prayers. Visited the lady and her husband and daughter this day, in between services.
I am not grieved by her passing as I know she will be leaving this world for something better. Something glorious and that I long for one day. But, her husband he said, "i use to say I hoped she went first(because she had Alzheimer's and he took care of her and was concerned at what would become of her if he was gone),But, now I'm not so sure."
Oh he is so heart broken, even though he knows she is going home, and he tells her that too, that she is going home. So, his grief is what I feel. But, Oh how I pray for him and his daughter.
This has been so hard on my Mom as well, and that makes me sad. But the Lord has got them all covered.
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Smeshque: I am so sorry for your pre-grieving for your friend. I have had sadness for my husband's sister as she was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's at 66. I have been working for the husband to get DPOA as they did not know. 4 yrs ago this lady, Cathy erred badly when she entered a one way HIGHWAY with her 2 grandkids in her car.
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LL- that is what happened to the lady I have been writing about. She was in a terrible car wreck years ago, and her mind just declined more and more, and then had Alz.
She went into rest this morning. Her suffering is over. It is Bittersweet, as her DH will be grieving for a long time. But, also, I believe he might have some relief, to know she is no longer hurting and that he had taken care of her until the end, and he doesn't have to worry about her if he were to go.
I am sorry about Cathy. Will keep her in my prayers.


And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Revelation 14:13
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DDDuck: You're so very welcome. When I located that poem (not my work), I thought it so befitting of the caregiver! Glad you are back on and hope that you had a safe travel to Korea. How wonderful to be able to see your son!

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” —1 Peter 5:2–4
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Dearest Smeshque: I am so very sorry for your loss. How terrible that the car accident may have then caused the much later Alzheimer's. To lose one's mind, I think is terrible, barring ALS, which is also just a horrible way to go. I got so far behind because I was trying to help my other SIL, Sue to advocate that Cathy and her husband get DPOA in place right away. Sue was saying why? Why do they need to do that since he is the spouse? I backed my statement up by finding a document written by a lawyer that clearly stated the reasons behind Durable Power of Attorney. You see, Cathy never spoke up, even though she did have a precursor driving into oncoming traffic on a one way HIGHWAY WITH TWO OF HER GRANDCHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. She's lucky that she didn't kill all of the 3 of them then. Thank you for your prayers for her. We appreciate them 100 fold!
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Hang in there LL you have a strong arm around you and everything will be ok.
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Smeshque: Thank you.
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Smeshque: Do you mean your arm or the arm of God, I suppose?
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Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
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