Easing back into home life after being away can be rough. Whether it is a vacation or working on the road, there is always a period of adjustment. Routines, schedules and life kept moving while you were gone. But isn't it wonderful to come home and sleep on your own pillow and hug your favorite people? And, oh, those Midwest sunsets. You can't beat'em.
We have been home from our big trip to Hawaii a couple weeks now. Not going to lie, we miss the adventure. But I love fall in Missouri. The cooler temperatures and brilliant leaves are comfortable and familiar. A Halloween without snow is always a bonus! Sure, we can still eat pineapple and talk volcanoes, but I think what we are really missing is spending all that time together. We are going to work on that. Talking about work while driving kids around, or planning the next day while brushing our teeth before bed doesn't count. We crave actual conversations and hobbies, or something. To be continued...
Life rolls along pretty fast around here and we tend to get wrapped up in our roles and responsibilities. Nothin' wrong with that, we have been here before. I know our situation is not unique. We are caregivers. Sometimes I hesitate to use that word, 'caregiver' because we are taking care of family. That is what family does – take care of each other. We have been in the trenches of caregiving for more than 10 years now and one thing we have learned is to take time for ourselves. At first, there was a lot of guilt. How could we take a trip when we have people to care for?
Because, we needed to rest and reset. We are no good to anyone if we aren't standing strong, together. With the full support of our family and friends, the guilt melted away over time and we felt confident in making plans.
God wants us to lean on Him when we are weak and broken. In turn, He calls us to do the same for others – to help one another, especially the weak and broken. I am an imperfect human. The reality is the devil will use my weakness as an opportunity to whisper in my ear. I guarantee you if I am exhausted and bitter because I have let those 'whispers' in, nobody gets the best of me. I have to be armed and ready to push those thoughts away and remind myself I am right where God wants me to be. It is not easy. I am only ready with God by my side.
Being a caregiver is a blessing. That might sound silly to some of you. But it is. We giggle at the crazy and smile at the memories we make. At times, being a caregiver can also be sad and frustrating. As a family we have grown through these challenges. I am thankful for that. If we had not, we would not have been strong enough to take this trip.
All of this just to say, allow yourself time to rest and reset. Don't forget to soak up the memories made at home and away, every single day. And, take care of each other.
Your friend, B
“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:9-10 NIV
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