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Caregiving is a Ministry Providing encouragement and inspiration, through scripture, to the caregiving community.
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To my Dear Caregiving Is a Ministry Family, I pray you are well and know that I continue to lift you up in my prayers. T...
23/10/2023

To my Dear Caregiving Is a Ministry Family, I pray you are well and know that I continue to lift you up in my prayers. This devotional was created for YOU. I pray that you find God's love within these pages as you continue your caregiving journey.

God Bless
Greta

01/06/2023

My Dear caregivers,

We began this journey three years ago, which has been a privilege for me. I hope you have been encouraged and enlightened to how much God loves you and that you can endure your season of caregiving.
Let nothing get you in your way of following God’s plan for you. If you notice, there is an underlying theme in each episode. To trust God. When it boils down to anything we do in life, our trust is always to be in God.
This season will come to an end, yet God will continue to lead you to new seasons. Each one will require you to trust Him. The more you trust Him, to higher He will take you.
As I close my caregiving season, I look back on it and know that God was with me all the way. That He is provided and instructed me through His word. In the end, I grew closer to Him, to my mother and I now have a better appreciation of what I am capable of. I know I can and will do all through Christ who strengthens me.
You are no different. You can and WILL do many things that Christ has prepared for you because He will give you His strength to do so.
As God would have it, although this will be the conclusion of this podcast and FB journal, He has not left you. I am blessed and excited to announce that the
The God Who Sees You Devotional/Journal for family caregivers is in production! My publisher is ForWord [email protected], and all inquiries can be emailed to them. I anticipate the devotional/journal to be in print this summer, but you can email the publisher in advance to secure your copy.
It has been a privilege to meet with you and know that you will continue to be in my heart and in my prayers.
God Bless
Greta

31/05/2023

My prayer for you
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 (NLT)

This scripture is my prayer for you that through this devotional, you have become more firm in your foundation and relationship with God and that you are completely filled with His joy and peace and your trust in Him. Please know that God loves you and that when it is your turn to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, He will greet you with “Well done.”

My prayer:
Lord, I thank you for my dear brother or sister. They have surrendered their lives to you and have obeyed your call to caregiving. I thank you that through each step of this caregiving season, they have grown closer to you and have a more intimate relationship with you. Help them know that you will continue to be with them and expect them to continue to walk closely with you. I ask that you protect them and cover them with your mighty hand. LORD, bless them and protect them; may you look upon them and smile and be gracious to them; I ask that you show favor to them and give them your peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

30/05/2023

Episode 121
You still have a purpose.
What a wonderful God we have—he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.
2 Corinthians 1-3-4 (TLB)

Your God is a BIG picture, God! He sees everything and knows everything. And He knew He could count on you to help others. Your sorrow and anguish will not be senseless; they can and will be used to help others as they, too, experience loss. You then become the one who can provide insight and comfort. Just as others are comforting you now, you will comfort others.
God created us for fellowship: first with Him and then with others. As you continue on your journey and new seasons, this knowledge will be with you, and know that one day God will call upon YOU to encourage and help someone experiencing what you are experiencing now. Nothing is lost in God’s economy; He looks after everyone. As He walked with you through your caregiving season and your season of mourning, He was preparing you to be used for someone else. You are a part of God’s plan because He knows that you are capable. All HE asks is that you trust Him.

28/05/2023

Episode 120
Weeping for the night
Oh, sing to him you saints of his; give thanks to his holy name. His anger lasts a moment; his favor lasts for life! Weeping may go on all night, but in the morning there is joy. Psalms 30:4-5 (TLB)

Life is unpredictable even for believers, and with this unpredictability, we turn our focus and attention to the one in total control. God does get angry, but His anger isn’t directed toward His children, no His anger is directed at injustice and inequity. His children received His favor; even when we don’t quite understand or feel it, it’s there.
Your loss is significant; you must grieve the loss to move forward. Remember, the Lord YOUR God is a forward-moving God, and He will not allow you to stay stagnate, He will allow you time to mourn, and after that time is completed, He will gently instruct you to get up and wash your face (figuratively speaking) and rejoice for the new day is here!

27/05/2023

Episode 119
Trusting in Jesus
“Do not let your heart be troubled. You have put your trust in God, put your trust in Me also.” John14:1 (NLV)

Is your heart troubled by the loss of your loved one? Jesus is asking you to put your trust in Him; allowing Him to soothe your troubled heart and racing thoughts of despair and anxiety. Know that anxiety, despair, and lack of direction are not from God but from the enemy. It is his attempt to take your focus away from God and His plan for you. Putting your trust in Jesus means He will take care of YOU. The troubles will bow down to Him and His authority and the authority He has given You!
However, you must choose to trust Him, choose to walk in accordance with His words, and choose to develop an ongoing growing relationship with HIM. You must choose!
Mourning is necessary because you will miss your loved one but mourning to the point of not being able to function is not what you, as a Christian, are! Walk with God and allow him to love you through your

25/05/2023

Episode 118
This isn’t goodbye
You have sorrow now, but I will see you again and then you will rejoice; and no one can rob you of that joy.
John 16:22 (TLB)

As you mourn the loss of your loved one here on earth, take comfort in knowing that you will see them again in eternity. Life on earth is temporary and short; some lives are taken earlier than what we deem appropriate, but all things work toward God’s purpose. Eternity is forever, where you’ll be with your Savior and your loved ones.
Take comfort in knowing you will see them again.

25/05/2023

Episode 117
This is only temporary
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. Romans 8:18 (NLT)

As a believer, it is important to remember what is important and what things are not so much so. Your loss is VERY important; however, you must remember that you have a higher priority. As a believer, you are a citizen of Heaven, and one day that is where you will be along with your loved one.
Remember that the trials and troubles you encounter now are momentary blips. Your grief will become more manageable, and you will be able to continue. Never forget that life here is temporary, and you have a home in eternity. Trust God and allow His purpose in your life to be fulfilled.

24/05/2023

The Rock
The Lord is my rock, my protection, my Savior.
My God is my rock.
I can run to him for safety.
He is my shield and my saving strength, my defender. Psalm 18:2 (NCV)

Today, I’d like you to reflect on God and who He is, and Who you have allowed Him to be to you. The psalmist declares that he has made God his Rock, a formidable structure that keeps him safe and provides shelter and protection. As you continue to mourn the loss of your loved one, you need a Rock. Perhaps your loved ones were your earthly rock providing that safe place for you, your companion or confidant, or the person you shared everything with. Now they are gone, but your heavenly rock is still with you.

23/05/2023

Episode 115
The Good News of Jesus
The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has chosen me to bring good news to poor people. He has sent me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent me to tell those who are being held and those in prison that they can go free. Isaiah 61:1 (NLV)

Jesus! The hope of Glory is here! That is the good news that you have a savior who loves you and cares for you. He cared enough to die for you and cares for you now to be with you during your time of mourning. This was the first thing He declared publicly, and He did it because He knew you would need to be reminded He came to heal your sad heart. Take comfort in this scripture today and your relationship with your savior.
Notice that His arrival marked the end of your captivity, from the captivity of sorrow and pain and from the captivity of a loss of hope. Today remember what Jesus proclaims and then turn to His spirit for comfort.

Reflections:
Think of everything being in a relationship with Jesus means to you. Ponder your life if you were not in a relationship with Him.

Talk to the Father: (thank Him for Jesus and your relationship. Thank Him for not leaving you alone)

21/05/2023

Episode 114
The Cycle of Life
There is a special time for everything. There is a time for everything that happens under heaven. There is a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pick what is planted. There is a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up. There is a time to cry, and a time to laugh; a time to have sorrow, and a time to dance. There is a time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to kiss, and a time to turn from kissing. There is a time to try to find, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away. There is a time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; a time to be quiet, and a time to speak. There is a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NLV)

Life has a rhythm, and seasons are a part of life’s rhythm. I’m sure this scripture is familiar to you, yet we sometimes forget the rhythm of life despite it being all around us; nothing is here forever, nothing. Your loss is significant, and you are allowed to mourn dear one; please understand that mourning has an end just as life does. You know this isn’t the end and that you will see your loved one again; hence why God does not want you to mourn forever because there will come a time when forever means you being reunited with your loved ones and, most of all, your Savior.

20/05/2023

Episode 113
Restoring your heart
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart. And He saves those who are broken in spirit. Psalms 34:18 (NLV)

Now more than ever, you have to know that God is with you. The loss of your loved one doesn’t mean you are now on your own; God is with you and will never leave you. As your heart breaks at the thought of your loved one, know that God weeps with you and is right by your side feeling every emotion with you.
Your loss does not bring Him joy; He does not delight in your sorrow. God had a plan for your loved one, and whether you agree with God’s plan or not, it was His plan, and you are to trust Him.
Do not allow this loss to distance yourself from God; now is the time to draw closer. He has been with you thru this season and will be with you for the next one. Trust God!

19/05/2023

Episode 112
Remembering God’s Word
Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life. Psalms 119:49-50 (NIV)

Now is the time to reflect on God’s promises to YOU as his child. If you know anything, should it not be that you can trust God? Trust him to do exactly what He has said in His word? Today’s scripture encourages you to remember who God is and whom YOU are to Him, remembering that reflecting on His word will bring you comfort during this time of loss.

18/05/2023

Episode 111
Remain Steadfast
I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.. Psalm 27:13 (NIV)

The loss of your loved one has rocked your world; now, things are unfamiliar and unsettling. A person who was crucial to you is now gone, leaving a large hole in your heart and life. Will his hole heal somewhat, but it will never go completely away, and frankly, you don’t want it to. There should remain a little of this to remind you of who that person was to you, don’t you think? What will happen is you will learn to live this life in spite of the hole, it will grow smaller but not disappear.
How are you to continue with this hole? You continue as a grounded, well-established child of God. You remember who you are and whose you are. Recounting the numerous times when God has been there and brought you out of crazy situations, how He has been there during the great times and the bad. You reflect on all that He has done for you during your season of caregiving, and you, too, will proclaim as David has in Psalms 27:13!

17/05/2023

Episode 110
Knowing God’s Heart
For the Lord will not turn away from a man forever. For if He causes sorrow, He will have loving-pity because of His great loving-kindness. He does not want to cause trouble or sorrow for the children of men. Lamentations 3:31-33 (NLV)

God is a loving God whose thoughts are far beyond what we can understand. As you mourn the loss of your loved one, it is easy to blame God; after all, His is in control, right? Right, but trying to figure out why He allowed this season in your life and the life of your loved one will zap all the energy and emotion you have…and it’s a waste of time!
As a child of God, you come to Him on faith, and that faith is what you need right now to accept the loss. Faith that God does know what He is doing and that despite your pain and perhaps the pain endured by your loved one, God is a loving and caring God

16/05/2023

Episode 109
Keep moving forward
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelations 21:4 (KJV)

Dear one, as you mourn the loss of your loved one, I want to remind you that death isn’t the end! It is merely a transition to eternity. There will come a day when not only will you see your loved one again, but all of the pain and suffering that you and others have experienced will be GONE!
As a child of God, remember this life on earth is temporary, and while you are here, God has a plan and a purpose for you. Keep trusting Him and continue walking the path He has set before you. Cherish the memories of your loved one, live a life that will make them laugh and proud, and above all, live a life that honors and brings glory to God.

14/05/2023

Episode 108
It is time to move on
After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. Joshua 1:1-3 (NLT)

Dear one, I know that these words may sound harsh or even cruel but know that they are not meant to be. Grieving lasts for a season, but that season must come to an end. Our God leaves nothing to chance He gives us His words to guide us and lead us not only toward a closer relationship with Him but instructions for living here on earth.
Today you see God telling Joshua, “It’s time to move on.” They, the children of Israel, had been mourning the death of Moses, and in their mourning, they were not moving forward to their destiny.
Your grieving time is only supposed to stop you momentarily. It gives you time to reflect on the times you spent with your loved ones, go about the business of ensuring the “life” issues are completed, wills, bills, burial, etc., and adjust to a new life without your loved one. Granted this doesn’t all happen at once, but after you have completed a significant portion of these, it will be time for you to begin your journey without your loved one but NOT ALONE. God is with you but He will tell you in His sweet way. “the time has come for you to…..”

13/05/2023

Episode 107
Hope
Having hope will give you courage.
You will be protected and will rest in safety. Job 11:18 (NLT)

Psalms 121:1 say that our Hope comes from the Lord. This same hope is found in Job, the scripture for today. Hope is a word often used in society and is defined roughly as believing in a better future. It propels one to move forward. However, for Christians, hope is solely based on the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is Hope, and you having a right relationship with Him means that things will be better; not only do you have a home in eternity, but that RIGHT now, things are being worked out for your good. Therefore, you can rest knowing that Jesus is with you right now!

Grieving is a multifaceted process that is experienced differently by the person going through it. Yet for you, a child of the Most High, your hope is anchored in Jesus, and although you miss your loved one, remember where your hope comes from and rest in knowing that you are loved and not alone.

12/05/2023

Episode 106
Do you know how special you are?
For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT)

Do you really know how special YOU are to God? I mean, really know just how much He loves you? Zephaniah captures just a glimpse of just how much, but this glimpse is so sweet. The Lord, YOUR God, actually sings songs of joy over YOU. He rejoices over YOU! Let that sink in for a moment.
Can you imagine God singing over you as you sleep? I think most of us do not; we just get up and go about our day. The Lord singing over His children just how enamored He is with YOU because you are His child😊 Today’s scripture reminds you that God is living with you, and this is to comfort your soul. The time of loss isn’t easy, but it came and will be made easier with God by your side. God lives among YOU, and I encourage you to rest in that knowledge, and then tomorrow morning, before you jump out of bed, be still and silence yourself and hear the songs the Lord sings over you.

11/05/2023

Episode 105
Do not grieve as the World grieves
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (TLB)

Many distinctions separate us, as Christians, from non-believers, the most important being our reliance on and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior, and then another, I believe, is how we grieve the loss of our loved ones, which is what today’s scripture defines. We know that for us, we do not die without hope, for our hope is in Jesus, and therefore, when we sleep, it is only temporary. Therefore, when we (you) grieve, it’s different. We celebrate the life of our departed family and friends; we memorialize them and acknowledge their impact on our lives and how they made us laugh and cry. We do not mourn with despair but celebrate the Homegoing, knowing we will see them again.

10/05/2023

Episode 104
Cry!
Jesus cried. John 11:25 (NCV)

I have a friend who talks about not crying because she needs “to be strong” and I hate it. Since when did crying become a weakness? Here we see the Savior of the world crying! So, if Jesus can cry, so can you! Being strong is facing your fears and the reality of your situation and moving forward to change the situation if that situation is unpleasant and not in alignment with God’s will for you. Being strong does not suppress your emotions to the point where they are bottled up. Studies have shown when we suppress our emotions, they will find a way to be released, oftentimes resulting in health issues!
So, cry hard and as often as you need to. It shows you are human and that you love your loved one.

09/05/2023

Episode 103
Celebrating your loved one
Ezra said to them, “Go, eat and drink what you enjoy, and give some to him who has nothing ready. For this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be sad for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 (NLV)

As your caregiving journey comes to an end, there are many emotions that will flood your heart: Loss, sadness, anger again, hopelessness, being numb, and despondence. However, as a child of the Most High God, you know that your loved one is now resting in the presence of their Savior. Allow this to comfort you and bring you out of the emotions listed above and instead allow you to feel joy, peace, and fullness. Fullness in knowing that you have completed this particular season God assigned you, peace in knowing thing your loved one is with Jesus, and joy as a result of the first two.
For the believer, the world expects you to mourn, and you will, but what you must also incorporate is CELEBRATING the LIFE of your loved one. Celebrate all they were and are to you and those they touched.

07/05/2023

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07/05/2023

Episode 102
Call on God
Yes, you came at my despairing cry and told me not to fear. Lamentations 3:57 (TLB)

I know for me, those times when I experienced deep sadness or regret, my tendency is to stay away from God, surprisingly, just like my relatives Adam and Eve. I try to hide from God’s presence because I am too embarrassed by what I have done, or my emotions are so crazy I don’t want to bring that to God! Of course, all of this is contrary to His word, which is clear that we want and desired that we come to him with everything, no matter what.
You may be experiencing days when you don’t want to get out of bed or want to eat all the ice cream or cake or fill in the blank you want. Well, I say do those things, at least for now. But know that one day those impulses must come to an end. But in the midst of all that, GO TO GOD. When you cry out to God, He hears you and wraps His arms around you and provides you with His peace and love. Do not ever think there could be a time when you cannot go to Him and express whatever is on your mind or in your heart. He is your creator who loves you as a father and mother; He cares for you!

06/05/2023

Episode 101
Blessed?
You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
Matthew 5:4 (MSG)

I know it’s hard to consider you being blessed at this point in time. Your loved one is now with God, and you may be left with a sense of isolation, uncertainty, and grief. However, this scripture encourages you to see your grief as another tool to draw your focus off of yourself and back on God. No one can comfort you like the One who created you. He understands your loss, but He also knows the overall plan that He has for you. Your loved one is now in His presence. No more pain.
As you mourn the loss of your loved one, please do not allow the enemy to trick you into thinking God doesn’t love you. He does and wants to provide the peace and comfort only He can. The question is will you let Him?

05/05/2023

Episode 100
A God who cares
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins! Isaiah 53:4 (NLT)

God cares for you. It was you He was thinking of as He went to the cross, and as He died on the cross, YOU were on His mind. He carried all the hurt, sorrow, and grief you are experiencing. This is important for you to remember because it reassures You that you are loved, and this feeling of sadness and sorrow will not overtake you nor hinder you from God’s love. Allow His comfort to engulf you as you grieve for your loved one.

04/05/2023

Episode 99
A finished race
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NASB)

In grieving the loss of your loved one, don’t forget to celebrate the race they have completed and won. God had a plan for them, and when His plan was completed, the Lord welcomed your loved one home. They are celebrating and have now joined that marvelous cloud of witnesses referenced in Hebrew 12:1.
You also have a course or race that you have to run, and this season of caring for your loved one is a segment that you have now completed. Celebrate it. Hear God saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
God is a righteous judge and will award you for your faithfulness. We are one body united in Christ for His purpose. Your loved one is now HOME.

03/05/2023

Episode 98
The former things have gone
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4 (KJV)
This season you may find yourself in extreme sorrow as you think of all your plans before you became a caregiver and of the future for your loved one. In some cases, you must be prepared for their departure to be reunited with Jesus. It’s hard and a heavy load to bear. And although going down memory lane can be helpful in this case, it is not. The enemy can use this as a time to continue to remind you of what you’ve “missed” or what you are going to miss, and God wants you to look to Him, allowing Him to show you what you have gained! As with all things, it is important for you to keep your dialogue open with God, go to Him and give Him your sorrow allow Him to wipe away your tears. Knowing that it is ok to cry, crying can be very therapeutic. As you release your hurt and sorrow and all the plans you had made, allow the Holy Spirit to give you new plans to look forward to. Learn to celebrate the little things in life. Letting go of what was can be hard, but once you let go of it, then you are free to receive the “new” that God has in store for you.

02/05/2023

Episode 97
Take Courage in God
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulations, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NASB)
Jesus had been preparing his disciples for his upcoming death. Yet we know that once it happened, it seemed to catch them off guard. Does your sudden change in life catch you by surprise? Dear heart, know that it hasn’t caught God off guard. Jesus challenges us to look at the life He lived here on Earth. He maintained a consistent relationship with the Father, he not only was the God personified but he demonstrated how we live and walk in the Fruits of the Spirit. And here in this scripture, He reminds us that because He did it, so can we…. YOU. Look to Jesus and His life and follow in His footsteps. His shoes are definitely too big for us to fit into, but just as children try to wear the shoes of their parents, God expects us to as well, and while His hands hold you up, you will discover that you are walking with Him!

30/04/2023

Episode 96
Sufficiency in Christ
“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
2 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)
God’s grace is so amazing! By His grace, you have the ability to not only care for your loved one with joy but to enjoy the season. This season will require everything you’ve got and more. You will need to ensure your loved one has the best care they need and that you also have the best care you need to continue as a caregiver. As stated earlier and numerous times, this new situation has not surprised God. For His reason, He has allowed this season to come to you and YOU have the choice of whether you will continue to trust Him and draw nearer to Him or try to do it on your own because you are angry with Him. I recommend trusting him. He is very near to you and wants to help you during this time; therefore, you must be open and honest with Him about your weakness, needs, emotions, and everything else. His grace is more than sufficient, so go ahead and trust Him.

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