Tag Archives: Family

Book Review: Caregiving with Grit and Grace by Jessica Ronne

A Journey of Caregiving: Finding Strength and Hope

The book begins in Winter, which is when you face the cold, hard truths of a difficult diagnosis. Spring, a time of growth and hope, helps you emerge from the cold, uncertain days.

Summer brings weariness and exhaustion. This is when you realize things are changing again, and you must learn to cope with the heaviness of the situation. Lastly we come to Fall, a time for acceptance, even when dealing with big changes like finding a care center that can do the things you no longer can or saying the final goodbye to the one you love. The great lesson throughout all the seasons is that the strength you need always points back to your Father, who loves you both.

This book is a must-read for anyone taking care of a family member or friend. The main message is that you are chosen by God to do this important work, and when the feelings of doubt, fear, or extreme exhaustion hit, you can whisper or shout out His name to find relief.

The author also gives truly great advice for daily life. First, she reminds caregivers they have to take care of themselves, too. It’s okay—and necessary—to prioritize your own well-being! She also teaches you to focus on the right things—not the constant little requests, but the loving reason you are serving. Also, caregivers must let others know their needs and accept their help. Ask God for what is needed, expect Him to act, and let Him do the rest.

This mix of life story and devotional will help anyone in a caregiving role find their new normal and discover that true strength, stability, and relief can be found in their faith. It is all about embracing a spirit of gratitude and finding hope in each moment.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a caregiver. It will lift your spirits and keep you mindful that you’re not doing this alone.

If you would like to have a copy I am gifting two people. All you need to do is hop over to my Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/marie.bungard and say YES. (I can only mail to United States addresses.) Winners will be selected by a random number generator. Your opportunity for a free copy will end on November 30, 2025.

Look for my next review. I’ll be gifting a copy of The Coloring Bible (for adults) to two lucky people.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Words

Words…Seven of them…From the cross…

1    Luke 23:32-38

2     Luke 23:39-43

3    John 19:26-27

4    Matthew 27:45-49

5     John 19:28-29

6    John 19:30

7     Luke 23:46-49

five-minute-friday-4-300x300I’m joining Kate Motaung for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt. Five minutes. No editing. Lots of women. All of us writing on that same word.

No One Is More Important Than Jesus

These words of Oswald Chambers had a profound effect on me the first (and every) timehouse I read them.  I have many friends who mean much to me but not as much as my Jesus.  I have a loving family whom I adore but they don’t mean as much to me as my Jesus.  I have a church family that I think the world of but they don’t mean as much to me as Jesus.  God gave me the most awesome man on earth as a helpmate, but Jesus surpasses the love he has for me.  (Yes, he’s comfortable with that because he also knows that Jesus’ love for him is greater than mine.)  There is no one in this world greater than my  Jesus!

Our soul’s history with God is frequently the history of the “passing of the hero.”  Over and over again God has to remove our friends in order to bring Himself in their place, and that is where we faint and fail and get discouraged.  Take it personally: In the year that the one who stood to me for all that God was, died–I gave up everything?  I became ill?  I got disheartened?  Or–I saw the LORD?

It must be God first, God second, and God third, until the life is faced steadily with God and no one else is of any account whatever.  “In all the world there is none but Thee, my God, there is none but Thee.”  Keep paying the price.  Let God see that you are willing to live up to the vision. 

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest (Westwood, NJ; Barbour and Company, Incl, 1935), 195.

I thank my God every time I remember you.  Philippians 1:3

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

All God’s Children

While we were waiting for church to start this morning Taylor asked if I had some paper so she could draw. I watched her draw a cross and underneath she wrote Jesus’s cross. Next to the cross she drew Jesus . He was holding Taylor’s hand, she was holding Marlee’s hand & she was holding Morgan’s hand… Then she told me it was hers & Morgan’s job to help teach Marlee about Jesus & to let her know that He is always holding their hands. She then drew a picture of Bro. Kenny preaching to the congregation … her mommy, Morgan, Taylor, Nana & Pawpaw. It is amazing how much they learn & how quickly they pick it up. My girls are so bright, caring & loving especially to Marlee. I love these girls so much.

This beautiful word picture was painted by a dear friend in Alabama.  I loved it when she posted it on Facebook and have her permission to share it in this blog.  (The picture above is not the one the girls drew.)

It is so easy to read Matthew 19:13-15 and think I’m no longer a child.  That’s really not true.  We are all God’s children.  He wants us to come to Him regularly and learn from Him.  We tend, as adults, to become so independent that trusting anyone but ourselves is a rarity.  Proverbs 3:5 says, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding’.  That’s what Jesus is saying to ALL His children, trust Me, count on Me, lean on Me, I AM what you are searching for, I will hold your hands anytime you need Me.

Heavenly Father as I lift these words in the Name of Jesus, keep me constantly aware that I am Your child.  Throughout this day help me to trust You, to lean on You, to hold Your always extended hand.  Your awesomeness thrills me.  YOU ARE!

A New Brother and Sister

Would it surprise you to find that you have more family than you thought you did?   Almost 2 years ago I was contacted by an unknown nephew asking if I was the daughter of my parents? (Name withheld because we’re on the internet.)  Well of course I was and still am even though both of them have passed into glory.  As time has passed I have discovered a new brother and sister and their families.  Can you imagine?

I have two full sisters and now I have 3 sisters and a brother.  Awesome!  Getting to know them is an incredible experience.  By the way,  what does one do with a brother?  I’m pretty good with sisters, grew up with them, and all the stuff that goes with it.  But a brother?  (Any suggestions are appreciated.)

And so now, many years later, much life has passed.  We are married, had children, ready to retire, settled in our communities, survived cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and a Traumatic Brain Injury behind us.  And before us…two very special new people and their families to get to know and love.

God is so good!  Welcome to the family!  You are loved!

Father in heaven only You could have put us back together.  How can I begin to say thanks for this great gift of joy.  I ask that You teach us to love one another with the the kind of love in 1 Corinthians 13.  Give us patience with one another.  Teach us kindness.  Help us to seek only what is best for one another.  What an awesome God You are!