CILOA: Christ IS Lord Of All

Care for the Caregiver

Welcome from Chuck Graham

Trapped... Lonely... Frustrated... Exhausted... Disappointed... Afraid... Angry... Unsure. Sound familiar? In our search for new areas of encouragement, one has stood out... Caregivers... those who give their time and energy to care for someone else. Sometimes it's a role they've chosen, sometimes it has been thrust upon them. Always there is dedication, responsibility and devotion. (read more)

Hitting the Brick Wall

Are you a Caregiver? You may be able to answer that very quickly, or perhaps you're so new to this whole thing that you're not sure. Here's an easy definition to guide you. A Caregiver is someone who on a consistent basis cares for and tends to the needs of someone else who at the moment is struggling with life. (read more)

Be Prepared

There is nothing that will sap your strength like fear, and nothing feeds that fear like not knowing what's going on. Knowledge is critical. It can empower you and give you confidence, because you will better understand what is going on around you and how best to handle the situation. You will be able to expect and anticipate better. And you are less likely to be surprised. (read more)

Rest

It is extremely important that you get your rest. At times that will seem impossible, but it is absolutely necessary if you are going to help someone over a long period. Without rest, you become so fatigued that you more easily become sick and depressed. You may even begin to lose confidence and doubt yourself. Over time, lack of rest will prevent you from being an effective Caregiver and you can end up sacrificing yourself, your family and your friends. (read more)

A Few Things to Remember

Being a Caregiver can be a blessing and a burden, a time of joy and sorrow. But it is always hard work. Being prepared and getting your rest are critical. Will you ever be prepared enough or find all the rest you need? Probably not. So just do the best you can. And since there may be times when even that will still not satisfy you, there are a few things you can remember to keep your mind and heart on track. (read more)

God and Prayer

"...God had plans different from ours..." This is a truth that can be so hard to accept. Being a Caregiver is difficult. You want to help. You want to be there. You want to make a difference. And you want that happy ending at the end of the story. You pray for healing or guidance or God's divine intervention. You want a miracle. But often, the happy ending doesn't come. (read more)