Wisdom of the Wounded

One way we can model Christian Caregiving at Christmas time is a tradition which we have done in our family for 20 years. Early in Advent we send each child and grandchild the following letter. Then on Christmas, each person describes the gift which he or she has chosen, and how the gift will help to improve someone's life. Then on a large world map, the person indicates with a star sticker where her or his gift is going. Then he or she lights a small votive candle, which reminds us that we are called to be "lights" in God's world.

By Sarah Gill-Northcutt It had been a year since my 18 month-old granddaughter Katie died of a birth defect, and I could still feel the grief.  “Maybe putting up Christmas decorations will make you feel better,” my husband said, handing me the box where we kept the ornament. “Christmas won’t be the same without Katie,” I […]

How can we transform a nursing home room or any room into a room of joy, beauty and love at Christmas time? The Christmas holidays are supposed to be happy, fun, joyful and overflowing with bonds of love. However, if your loved one lives in a nursing home, the scene may instead be dull, sad and boring. One […]

Holidays are memory days. But not for people with dementia.“Do you remember the year the tree fell over…when the cousins stayed for all eight days…when Santa forgot to eat the cookies and the kids cried…”Holidays, especially the Christmas holiday are a tapestry woven with memories. So what happens when your mom or dad or loved one has lost those memories and you want to spend time with them.

On June 5, 2002, fourteen-year-old Elizabeth Smart was taken from her home in the middle of the night by a religious fanatic, Brian Mitchell.  She was kept chained, dressed in disguise, repeatedly raped and told she and her family would be killed if she tried to escape. In her book, My Story, Elizabeth further describes […]

God says, “Give thanks at all times.” (1 Thes 5:18)  Yes, even when the day is dark and dreary, even when we are sad, discouraged, and suffering; for, our God is faithful and has promised to be with us. I really like the following prayer for it reminds us why we can give thanks at […]

Your words are windows to your heart. Author J. Allan Petersen tells about a flight he took on a 747 out of Brazil.  He was awakened from sleep by a strong voice announcing, “We have a very serious emergency.”  Three engines had quit and the forth was expected to go at any second.  The plane […]

What about those who die with no faith? You might say, “My husband never prayed.  My grandpa never worshiped.  My mother never opened a Bible, much less her heart.  What about the one who never believed?  What about those who die with no faith? I personally like Max Lucado’s response, “How do we know that […]

Two are better than one, for if one falls down, the other will help him up.  But pity the person who falls and has no one to help him up.  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Mother Teresa says, “Loneliness is the most terrible poverty.”  What do you do when a friend tells you they are lonely?  Do you shrug […]

Do you want to have some fun today? Then plan a “Random act of Kindness.” You know – the act of kindness you do for someone, especially someone who is suffering, but you don’t let them know who you are. For example:

◾Leave bags of groceries on the porch of a family where there is an unemployed person.

◾Leave a bouquet of flowers on the porch of someone who is grieving.

◾Send a single mom some movie tickets or bowling coupons.