Common Disciplines by RENOVARE

• By God's grace, I will set aside time regularly for prayer, meditation, and spiritual reading and will seek to practice the presence of God.

• By God's grace, I will strive mightily against sin and will do deeds of love and mercy.

• By God's grace, I will welcome the Holy Spirit, exercising the gifts and nurturing the fruit while living in the joy and power of the Spirit.

• By God's grace, I will endeavor to serve others everywhere I can and will work for justice in all human relationships and social structures.

• By God's grace, I will share my faith with others as God leads and will study the Scriptures regularly.

• By God's grace, I will joyfully seek to show forth the presence of God in all that I am, in all that I do, in all that I say.

Remember Me (The Death of a Loved One)

Fill not your hearts with pain and sorrow,

but remember me in every tomorrow.

Remember the joy, the laughter, the smiles,

I've only gone to rest a little while.

Although my leaving causes pain and grief,

my going has eased my hurt,

and given me relief.

So dry your eyes and remember me,

not as I am now, but as I used to be.

Because, I will remember you all,

and look on with a smile.

Understand in your hearts,

I've only gone to rest a little while.

As long as I have the love of each of you,

I can live my life in the hearts of all of you.

(Unknown Author)

10 Signs of Caregiver Stress (ALZHEIMER'S)

1. DENIAL - about the disease and its effects on the person who's been diagnosed. "I know my Mom's is going to get better."

2. ANGER - at the person with Alzheimer's or others that no effective treatments or cures currently exist and that people don't understand what's going on. "If he asks me that question one more time, I'll scream."

3. SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL - from friends and activities that once brought pleasure. "I don't care about getting together with the neighbors any more."

4. ANXIETY - about facing another day and what the future holds. "What happens when he needs more are than I can provide?"

5. DEPRESSION - begins to affect the ability to cope. "I don't care anymore."

6. EXHAUSTION - makes it nearly impossible to complete necessary daily tasks. "I'm too tired for this."

7. SLEEPLESSNESS - caused by a never-ending list of concerns. "What if she wanders out of the house or falls and hurts herself?"

8. IRRITABILITY - leads to moodiness and triggers negative responses and reactions. "Leave me alone."

9. LACK OF CONCENTRATION - makes it difficult to perform familiar tasks. "I was so busy, I forgot we had an appointment."

10. HEALTH PROBLEMS - begin to talk their toll, both mentally and physically. "I can't remember the last time I felt good."

Pass this on to a caregiver you know!!!

Time To Adore by Ruth Bell Graham (Collected Poems, 1977)

And when I die, I hope my soul ascends slowly,

so that I may watch the earth receding out of sight,

Its vastness growing smaller as I rise,

savoring its recession with delight.

Anticipating joy is itself a joy.

And joy unspeakable and full of glory

needs more than than, "in the twinkling of an eye,"

more than, "in a moment."

LORD, who am I to disagree?

It's only we have much to leave behind;

so much . . .

Before, these moments of transition will, for me,

be time to adore.

The Whole Thing - The Prayer of Serenity

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it; 

Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

Let No Unwholesome Word ...

We live in a world that is dominated with negativism, sarcasm, one-ups-manship and other means of relating and communicating that are counter-productive and destructive. Even Christians engage in verbal jousting and sarcasm. Being witty and genuinely funny are wonderful qualities, but some of us go well beyond wit and playfulness.

What does it mean that "no unwholesome word should proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification?"

Invite the Holy Spirit to teach you how you are to apply this scripture to your present day life.