Author: hoekzema.allyson

Caregiving is a series of attitudes and behaviors that are learned over time. The toolbox for a caregiver is filled with a variety of skills. Below are some of the items found in a caregiver’s toolbox.

Compassion: Jesus was filled with compassion when He ministered. Compassion is kindness in action. It is a way of relating to one another on a caring level.

Kindness: Kindness is a characteristic of the Spirit. D.W. Williams and Willie Williams each lived to be 105 years old. They were married for 82 years. They said the secret to a long marriage was being nice to each other. That’s pretty good advice.

Prayer: Praying for someone is to place them in God’s hands. We provide the care and God provides the cure. Not only do we tell people we will pray for them. We can actually follow through and pray for someone.

Saying a Blessing: When we bless someone, we say good words about them and to them. We all desire to hear good words. Compliments can really make a person’s day. Saying good words will have a ripple effect on those around you.

A Cup of Cold Water: Jesus talks about the importance of doing little things to let people know you care. In Matthew 10:42 He mentions giving a cup of cold water to someone who is thirsty as an act of caregiving. Little acts of kindness help make to fill our days with a sense of being loved and belonging.

Using these tools regularly is something we all can do to brighten our corner of the world.

Matthew 20:25-28 reads – But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the Rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Today, in thinking about the gifts of administration, the Bible is not the first place we usually look. In many places, we find the role of administration to include communication, preparing, organizing, and storing information in paper and digital form. Dealing with queries on the phone and by email, greeting visitors, scheduling meetings, and time management.

However, according to Matthew 20:25-28, the gift of administration is service to others. In this service to others, the leader should not exercise authority over people, but instead, lower himself or herself to be a servant. Serving others is the only way to lead with a pure heart, free of pride and arrogance.

Colossians 3:12-13 encourages our service to one another with these words: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, bearing with one another, and if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

As we serve using the gift of administration to residents, colleagues, families and visitors, Matthew 7:12 reminds us of the Golden Rule: “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

Serving also includes obedience with a sincere heart.  Ephesians 6:5-9 says: Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,  rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,  knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord,  whether he is a bondservant or is free.  Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.”

As we each use our gift of service, let us pray this prayer together:

Lord, we pray today for everyone we know involved in the care of your people at your Baruch facilities. We pray for those who administer rules and regulations,  for those who administer medications, for those who lead activities, for those who lovingly clean rooms, for those who tenderly give care to residents. We pray for those in the corporate offices who lead and govern your Baruch facilities. May we all serve you and each other well, that we might live quietly and simply in our humble attitudes. This is how you want us to live. May we glorify you in how we lead and live out our service to you and others.

We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen (1 Timothy2:1-2).

Thank you, everyone, for serving the Lord!

Chaplain Val

“Even to your old age and gray hair, I am He, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you.” Isaiah 46:4

“Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.” Lev. 19:32

As I looked up the online weather report, two news boxes flashed their headlines. “I’m a doctor that specializes in anti-aging,” said one. Another in bold letters stated, “I’m all about battling aging in every way I can!” Gazing at the wrinkles that have appeared in my cheeks the last few years, it’s easy to get pulled into these views. Now, I know they are talking about the physical effects of aging. But these views can negatively influence our views of aging in general and of older persons specifically.

So, really… battling aging?!? Growth, change and aging is a natural part of life. Imagine if no one aged after birth. All of us infants! We would be able to do much less if we remained infants. As we journey through life, aging allows us to have a variety of experiences. We sing, play, build things, drive, bake, learn, love, work, and share our gifts and interests. At a certain point in life, we may not be able to still do these things, but we still have value. We have a lifetime of experiences and knowledge that come with age and having lived life. And if open to the Spirit of God, we also have wisdom and understanding from our years lived that are gifts to the generations after us.

Aging is not an option and it does take courage. May we remember three things. For those who have lived decades of life, remember you are valuable. You have years of experience to share with others. You have grown and learned from mistakes that others have yet to make. These are great gifts. For those who are young and have years left to live, remember that, though you know a lot, you do not know it all. Ask those who have lived decades for their wisdom and advice. Listen to their stories and learn from them. Celebrate their lives. And for all, remember that God is with us every step of the way.

Chaplain Karen