I need to have someone come to my home every morning 7:00-10:30 to help with my medical care, shower and getting dressed for the day. I am blessed right now with a good season of caregivers. Jan, Nicole and Lisa (they take different days of the week) are the loveliest people! Although I’m very grateful that there are people that enjoy doing this type of work, after 365 days multiplied by almost 25 years, I would love to get up on my own. How great that would be! What a joy! When writing about how pure frustration in training caregivers was the catalyst for me learning to praise God, I wrote in my new book “Still I Will Praise”:
“One day I was sharing my struggle with my friend Joni Eareckson Tada (speaker, singer, author and founder of the International Disability Center). Being quadriplegic for over forty years, she understood my struggle of training new caregivers, and she told me one of her strategies. When the caregiver comes through the door, she says, ‘Lord, I don’t have a smile for this woman who’s coming in right now. But You do.’ So I began praying this way and added, ‘so please smile through me.’”
How we can apply this in all situations! Thank you, Joni! If we don’t have a smile for someone, let’s ask the Lord to smile through us. Now if I can just REMEMBER to do it!
If I lived near you I would be your caregiver. I met you years ago in Arizona. I will never forget the sparkle in your eyes. Sincerely, Kathy Stallo
Amen sister! Thanks for posting and I’m right there with ya….trying to remember to do it! Thanks Renee for your sharing, candor and practical wisdom! Love you girl!
Hi Renee, Love this smile through it stategy! I’ll be trying to use this in my own Life!
I love this post! When I receive Jesus at Holy Mass I pray, Let people see only you Jesus, any light that comes from me let it be only you Jesus, to do your will each Day Lord so that I , my wife and all those who are close to our hearts may be with you in all Eternity. I pray for those that will persecute me this day , for their conversion and they will be with you O Lord in Eternal Glory, Amen.