Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
Hey Caregivers!
Are you feeling weary and worn out from juggling a ton of caregiving responsibilities both day and night? Do you long for a deep rest for your souls? As someone who has been caregiving for two parents for eighteen years and counting, I can truly relate to your struggles. Perhaps you are like me, and you never planned on becoming a caregiver. In fact, with two master’s degrees and several decades of professional management and ministry experience, I had a much different plan in mind for my life!
But God had a greater plan.
To be honest, it has not been an easy road. I have worn many hats as an honorary nurse, medical and insurance advocate, comforter, property and financial manager and pastor to the elderly. I know what it is like to navigate difficult relationships, delusional accusations, Vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain and limited mobility. The number of trips to the ER have been countless. I have suffered from prolonged caregiver stress and burnout. Throughout the caregiver journey, my deep, abiding faith in Christ and my love for my parents motivated me to never give up. While caregiving is often a solo adventure, I have never walked alone. The Lord has graciously guided me every step of the way. Now, I am passionate about helping other caregivers renew their hope as they navigate these challenging trails and uncharted waters.
The Invisible Reality of Caregiving
Have you ever felt that your sacrifice is invisible to the world around you? God sees you and I can empathize. In fact, it seemed as though only a few of us were managing care for their family. I was shocked to learn in the recent AARP Caregiving in the US Report(opens in new tab), there are 63 million unpaid family caregivers in the United States. These individuals care for someone with a serious medical condition or disability. With our increasing aging population, the number of family caregivers will continue to rise. I can’t help but wonder… who cares for the caregivers? That’s where I come in.
My friends, serving as a solo caregiver can feel lonely, but I want to reassure you don't have to walk this path alone. Let me throw you a lifeline of hope as I equip you with resources to refresh your soul and strengthen your faith.
Wellness 4 Caregivers:
Everyone who visits the Adirondacks shares a deep appreciation for this region. With its clean air, thousands of lakes, stunning sunrises, and memorable sunsets, it is easy to see why so many people fall in love with the landscape. Beyond its breathtaking beauty, the area has been cherished for centuries as a sanctuary for wellness and healing.
The healing legacy dates back to the late 1800s during the "Cure Cottage Days," when tuberculosis patients traveled to the mountains seeking rest and the restorative powers of the fresh air. Today, organizations like the Adirondack 46ers frequently document how time spent on mountain trails help visiting hikers recover from grief, stress, and health challenges. Ultimately, the Adirondacks remain a timeless refuge where people can escape the pressures of daily life and find peace in God’s magnificent creation. Watch this video to see for yourself.
WALK WITH ME!
Is your body stressed out? Far too often caregivers neglect their health needs while they are focused on their loved ones. Just to name a few of the issues caregivers struggle with are: weight gain, sleep disruption, poor diet, caffeine overload, back pain, and lack of mental, emotional and physical rest. Even one of these issues can cause our health to decline. After too many years of putting my health needs on hold, I am finally going to address it.
Would you like to join me?
I would like to invite you to participate in the Hikers 365 challenge. I know it feels like one more thing to do, but walking for even ten minutes (and preferably longer!) is beneficial to your health in many ways. Movement clears your mind, releases stress in a healthy way, and it elevates your mood and outlook. A great way to get started is to have a goal. View the details on the website. “The Hiker’s 365 Challenge at MyAdventureChallenge.com(opens in new tab)". Let me know if you are up for the challenge!
Neal K. Shah is a healthcare researcher at Johns Hopkins who is focused on caregiving for the aging population. He's known as "America's chief elder officer.”
Neal is a man of faith, and his insights will help you take proactive steps to preserving your own brain health and learning cutting edge information about Caregivers issues plus valuable medical information. Follow him on social media.
Worship 4 Caregivers
Scriptures and prayers based on the promises of God.
For morning and evening scripture and prayers that help you renew in God’s grace every day.
Wilderness Refresh 4 Caregivers
Do you wish you could escape your caregiving duties and go on an adventure in the mountains? I truly understand, my friend! That is why I want to give you glimpse of freedom beyond the world of caregiving. Since you cannot leave your responsibilities, I am going to bring an Adirondack adventure to you! Now it’s time to give yourself the space to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation in this video and exhale all the stress you are holding inside.
Adirondack Adventures
Experience the Adirondacks through online visual adventures. The beautiful sights and sounds of God’s creation will heal your stressed-out nervous system and soothe your weary soul. May these videos inspire you to visit the ADK on your next respite break.
This is the trailer for my favorite ADK video entitled, "Heaven on Earth: The Adirondacks.
“Nearly ten years in the making, this film takes you on a sweeping tour of the Adirondack State Park in upstate New York with over 125 different scenes. Incorporating innovative Milky Way time-lapse sequences and daytime slow motion video footage, this film presents The Adirondack Park in a way you have never experienced it before.”
Please contact Joe LeFevre at [email protected](opens in new tab) if you would like to purchase your own copy of the 45 minute video. It is well worth it!