Faith in Caregiving: Joy of Appropriate Words
JOY OF APPROPRIATE WORDS
Proverbs 15:23 Amplified Bible“
A man has joy in giving an appropriate answer. And how good and delightful is a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is!”
John 13:34 Amplified Bible
“I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another.”
YOUR JOURNAL
Rest and relaxation are not a luxury. To avoid caregiver-burnout and impatience, “me time” is a necessity.
What are you doing to give yourself some time alone.
MEDITATION
When I was a caregiver to both my parents, I did not always speak to them with the right word or with the right tone. I always felt awful afterward because these two dear people were already struggling with their disabilities. They didn’t need me to make it even more difficult for them.
My best advice for myself back then and for caregivers today is pray first thing in the morning. Ask the Holy Spirit to enable you to keep your heart set on kindness and patience throughout the day. If we cooperate with God’s Spirit, He is our very best help every day.
PRAYER
Dear Jesus, I thank You for Your Holy Spirit who is always with me. You taught us to love one another. May Your Spirit teach and grow me each day, so my words and actions are kind. Amen.
More on the Joy of Appropriate Words....
Caring for a loved one is one of the most rewarding yet challenging roles we can take on. As family caregivers, we often face moments of exhaustion, stress, and emotional strain, making it difficult to always respond with the patience and grace that our loved ones deserve.
Proverbs 15:23 reminds us of the joy that comes from offering the right words at the right moment. A kind word, spoken in love, can lift spirits and create peace in difficult times.
John 13:34 calls us to love one another as Christ has loved us, a powerful reminder that caregiving is an expression of that love. But this love also requires us to care for ourselves.
As the journal reflection suggests, taking time for rest and renewal is not selfish but essential. Without moments of "me time," we risk burnout, which can lead to impatience or unintentional harshness in our words and actions.
The meditation offers a relatable experience — how many of us, in moments of fatigue, have regretted the tone we’ve taken with those we care for? Yet, we are not alone in this journey. The prayer encourages us to seek strength in the Holy Spirit each day, asking for guidance to respond with kindness and patience. By turning to God for help, we can find the grace to speak appropriately and the strength to love deeply, even in the toughest moments.
May we all remember to show ourselves grace, to pray for guidance, and to rest in the knowledge that God's Spirit is always with us, helping us each day to speak words of love.
More Faith in Caregiving articles-
The Importance of “ME TIME”, by The Reluctant Caregiver
Raising Your Happiness Meter
Meet Veronica Badowski, a valued and regular contributor to Caregiver Relief. With her heartfelt reflections and deep understanding of the caregiving journey, Veronica shares personal experiences and spiritual insights to support family caregivers in their roles. Her wisdom and compassion shine through in every contribution, offering encouragement and practical advice to those caring for loved ones.
Books By Veronica Badowski :
God Thoughts for Busy People 365 days of Meditation
Treading Water with God, Lessons in Love While Caregiving
Holding on with God:Encouragement for the Caregiver
Want more inspirational posts? Here is a link to Faith in Caregiving series
