Z-Zoom In On Positive Outcomes

I wanted to conclude the ABCs of Self Nurture for Caregivers series by focusing on all the positive outcomes of the four caregiving scenarios in my life. I never thought about it much before, yet I have spent most of my adult life as a caregiver. I complained a lot at in the beginning of the journey I complained, yet now I can thank God for the positive outcomes and who I have become as a result. I never imagined how hard yet how rewarding it would be.

Someone has said that hindsight is 20/20 and this is an accurate statement because now I clearly see the following positive outcomes:

1. 1. I became the Hope Lady and wrote a book about it that will be released in 2018.

No experience is ever wasted when you learn from it. So much of my testimony revolves around the initial experience of moving in with my little, feisty mother-in-love. It was not an easy time, yet I would not be the person I am today without these stories to tell and common experiences.

1. • I learned to honor fully and will receive the benefits in the remainder of my life.

Here is an excerpt from my upcoming book, The Power of Hope for Caregivers: Honor the Ride that best explains this scriptural principle:
Honor makes a huge difference in caregiving. The fifth commandment given by God to Israel through Moses has a promise attached to it. In Exodus 20:12 it says, “Honor your father and your mother that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” Deuteronomy 5:16 takes the promise one step further by including the promise of favor in your life when you choose to honor your parents. This is a foundational principle that all caregivers should remember and celebrate even while navigating through difficult times.
The Hebrew word that expresses honor in these two verses is kabed. It has opposite meanings. On the negative side, kabed can be heavy, burdensome, dull, or severe. Meanwhile on the positive side, it means filled with glory, weighty, noble, or wealthy. I have experienced both sides of the word and am grateful to have risen above the weight of obligation to the joy of serving and honoring fully. The rewards of exploring the positive version of honor are priceless and long-reaching.

1. • I can finish strong with no regrets.
     

Here is another excerpt from the upcoming book: We live in a society that seems to have forgotten the true meaning of respect and favorable regard. Many parents go through tremendous difficulties as they perpetuate the abuse or neglect they suffered in their own childhood. In these situations, the communication breaks down over the years as family members separate and alienate themselves from those who have wronged them. Honor does not condone this behavior; instead, the essence of honor is to recognize the role of a person in your life and trust God in their execution of that appointment. Parents may fail in many ways and hurt their children. While this is not right or in God’s plan, when it’s your turn to take care of them in their final days, you have an opportunity to change the legacy and direction of your family, live a longer life, and experience unprecedented favor in all you do. You have been given the chance to rewrite the end of the story and redeem the pain by creating powerful positive memories to take the place of the painful ones. The redemptive quality of honor is applicable to much more than just parent-child relationships. In any type of caregiving situation, honoring the one you care for will empower you with the peace of mind that comes with no regrets.

 

Thank You, Lord, that I can learn the true meaning of honor. What a great God You are to provide special blessing when I honor those I care for. I look forward to the blessing of a long life and the favor that comes along with it. I choose to forgive freely and move forward with confidence in Your goodness and the good plan You have for me.

In Jesus’ name. Amen

For the rest of the alphabet in the ABCs of Self Nurture for Caregivers please click here.