Those who are called to give care and pursue it intentionally bear much fruit in their lives that they may or may not be privileged to see." (p 24)
It is interesting, to me, to read what other people think about different parts of the country when they travel and how people do or do not respond to someone saying, "Hi," to them.
When you are walking down the street, do you make eye contact and say, "Hello," to those you pass?
"I don't even know if it matters to God." (p 7)
On days when the above seems to be the motto, what do you do to pull yourself out from the "dark side"? (Quote from Nicole.)
Do you know Christ? How has knowing Him made you more alert to "the fabric of human design"? (p 12)
How do you make "kindness and consideration" priorities in your daily life? (p 12)
When it comes to the future and caring for your parents, what does your role as caregiver look like? (p 23)
I make eye-contact, if possible, with people I pass and smile. Sometimes I say, 'hi.' Normally, I say, 'hi' if we are in a store or if they have small children with them too. People often smile at my girls holding hands or make a comment about the marker all over their legs.
ReplyDeleteMmm..yes. I have the 'I wish, I would die today' days. I haven't found a fool-proof out. Sometimes one of these works: exercise, bake something, take a nap, clean the house, take someone food, visit a friend, paint a picture, take the kids to the park, ...
Yes, I know Christ. I know, all people are flawed and if I get close then I can see them, thank goodness. I know, people are made in Christ's image so I should be able to find SOMETHING good about every person. The best thing our BSF leader ever said was that Christ made us to love everyone but not to be friends with everyone.
I would like to say I am kind and considerate of my husband but I feel like I am a lot better about being a mother than a wife. I try to be forgiving to my toddler and preschooler when they whine and destroy things.
My mom assigned my brother to pull her plug. She said, "I know, your brother is cold-hearted and will pull plug but you won't." I'm not sure what is going to happen with my mom and stepdad. They won't eat my food currently. What a great question to ask them when they visit next week. SARCASM. I do assume we will be taking care of my MIL, which is fine with me. She is awesome and it would be great to have her around the girls more.
Yes, I do. In our old neighborhood, it felt like a necessity to avoid being attacked and to be remembered in-case something happened to me and the, "Have you seen this woman?..." clip appeared on the news.
ReplyDeleteOn the "dark side" days, I, like Nicole, try a number of things. Exercise, visiting a friend or family member top my list.
Yes, I know Christ. I think I have always been very in-tune with my caring side and been able to, even to my determent, been able to see why someone else is making the choices they are making. Being a Christian, has magnified that. And, leaves me, often, with an overwhelming sense of, "I wish I could get them to see how knowing Christ could help them through _________."
Kindness and consideration are in my daily life in that I want to raise young men with those qualities. Which, I know, they sometimes take advantage of. But, I encourage them to show kindness and consideration to others. I love living on a street with many grandparent aged neighbors. If I'm baking, which happens a lot, my boys are most likely running snacks over to the neighbors.
Also, with my husband, he is the one most likely to get the short end of the stick, but I aim to make meals I know are his favorites, even if they aren't particularly healthy.
My role as caregiver...
Well, it depends on the parent. With my husband's parents, I wouldn't be directly involved, as it sits right now.
With my parents, I would love for my mom to live with us when she gets to be old. My dad, I don't know if he would be okay living with us. I think he would want him and my mom to be independent as long as they can. I have a hard time picturing him needing care.
I love how we are discussing this book alone. Again. Why don't people want to chat with us?
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine your dad living with you. What does you husband say about your mom living with you? What is going to happen to your FIL and Kathy?
I just don't think my mom could live with us. She won't eat my food. She won't spend the night at our house now. I am interested to see what even happens to my grandparents because they are still living in their own homes. My family just doesn't discuss this stuff.
You better be working on my future son-in-law's kindness and consideration because my daughter is going to need it. She has been melting down in a puddle of emotion lately over nothing. She wants chocolate milk but can't wait the two minutes it takes me to make it. Or her sister plays with a toy in a different room that is HERS but instead of asking for it she screams and drops to the floor. I am so looking forward to PMS. Honestly, I often have to ask my husband, "Am I like that? Do I do that? Where is she getting this?"
We are intimidating. We have it all figured out and know all the answers. LOL!
ReplyDeleteThe limited amount we have talked about my mom living with us, he seems okay with the idea.
Rick's dad is very determined that they will not be a burden to us. He says they will live in a care center like the one Rick's grandpa lives in. If Steve dies, I am pretty confident in saying that I believe Cathy will move back to CA to live with/near Sarah.
The only reason we discuss it is because I grew up with my great grandma living alone into her 90s. My grandparents very slowly transitioned her to their home and she lived with them till the morning of the day she died. I want to be able to do that for our parents.
Like mother like daughter ;-)
Jason does that when he is going through a growth spurt. Thankful, he just started on the upswing of a growth spurt, so the whining is coming to an end. PRAISE, GOD!