The Fruit of the Spirit: Peace

The Fruit of the Spirit: 

Peace

by John W. Ritenbaugh
Forerunner, "Personal," May 1998

Related

• Peace
• A Portable Peace
• Promised: Protection and Healing
• Peace With God
• The Beatitudes, Part 6: The Pure in Heart
• The Beatitudes, Part 7: Blessed Are the Peacemakers
• Unity and Personal Responsibility

Series

• Spirit: Joy
• The Fruit of the Spirit: Peace
• The Fruit of the Spirit: Patience
• The Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness
• The Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness
• More...

Dwight Eisenhower, former U.S. president and supreme Allied commander in Europe during World War II, was quoted by Richard Nixon in Six Crises as saying, "In preparing for battle, I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable." He said this because during the heat of battle, whether political or military, events never seemed to unfold the way the plans anticipated. However, the planning itself stimulated thought so that leaders could make adjustments to meet fast-changing and challenging circumstances as the battles raged. In this way, events did not become completely out of control.

Life is difficult and at times seems ...

The White Woods: I'm Busy, Lord!

The White Woods: I'm Busy, Lord

Saturday, July 28, 2007

I'm Busy, Lord!

I'm Busy, Lord!
I'm busy, Lord. Surely You can see
The thousand things that wait for me!
The dishes still lie in the sink-
I cannot stop to pray and think.

Lord, I know You understand.
For You gave these children to my hand;
And now they cry and need me so,
Lord, You understand. I'd better go.

Now I've got them all to sleep,
I'd better dust and mop and sweep.
I must thaw out the meat for stew,
And the ironing is long overdue!

And kindly my Lord answered me,
"Why do you from my presence flee?
I have so much for you today.
My child, I want to hear you pray.

"I love you, child; I want you here
To rest and listen- to shed a tear.
What if Paul had stopped to say,
'Lord, I'm too busy to write letters today!'?

"No, my child, I'm what you need,
Through household duties you can speed,
Yet when you're through, there's emptiness
If this quiet time you miss."

Oh, thank You, Lord, for showing me
How much I need to wait on Thee.
For what's an undone dish or two
Compared with sharing time with You?!

-Nancy Stitzel

12 Things You Should Say to a Family Caregiver | CPI

12 Things You Should Say to a Family Caregiver | CPI

The Art of Alzheimer's | How Mom Forgot Nearly Everything and Began to Paint

The Art of Alzheimer's | How Mom Forgot Nearly Everything and Began to Paint

The Royal EZ (REZ) - By ComforTek Seating

The Royal EZ (REZ) - By ComforTek The ROYAL EZ by ComforTek Seating

The REZ (using the millie-mova technology) is designed to provide caregivers with a practical solution to a mealtime problem. When attached to any standard dining chair, the REZ enables a caregiver to gently move a seated person to-and-away from the table easily and safely.

How to Vet a Potential Caregiver: Questions to Ask Yourself | Seniors For Living

How to Vet a Potential Caregiver: Questions to Ask Yourself | Seniors For Living

Leaving your loved one with someone who, at the start, is a stranger, is a stressful scenario. How can you ensure the skill set of a potential home caregiver meets your loved one’s needs? How can you be sure this is someone you’ll want to welcome into your family’s home every day?

Caregiver Time Management Skills & Tips - AgingCare.com

Caregiver Time Management Skills & Tips - Don't let the title scare, you, folks. I'm not presenting a "system" here. Personally, I've never seen a chart or graph designed to help me organize my life that I didn't intentionally ignore. "Systems" designed by experts never seems to consider my life or personality. They seemed like cardboard cutouts, made for some dream life. Textbook examples often don't take real life into account. My response to most "systems" would be a quiet, internal, "You are not me."

That being said, tips and thoughts from people whose lives have closely mirrored mine, in at least some aspects, have been generally welcome. I like stories. I like knowing how people make their lives work. If ideas are presented to me that way, I feel the flexibility of personalities and lifestyles blending, and that makes suggestions sound less like demands that I "shape up" and act like other people. I can then assimilate the story, take what works for me and ignore the rest—guilt free.

So, please take my suggestions in that manner. I've discussed some ideas with other caregivers, including those who care for elders and one man who cares for a child with disabilities. Our time management techniques aren't that different. When we care for vulnerable people, we are all much alike.

Expect the Unexpected

Rewiring My Brain and Stepping into Alzheimer's World | Alzheimer's Reading Room

Rewiring My Brain and Stepping into Alzheimer's World | Alzheimer's Reading Let's put it this way. If you were sent to live somewhere where all the people were purple and they spoke so fast you couldn't understand a word they were saying -- how would you feel? 

If you felt like all the purple people didn't like you -- how would you feel all day long?

If you were stuck in this purple world and couldn't figure out how to get out, and couldn't understand how you got there in the first place -- how would you feel?

Alzheimer's World can be a wonderful place. In fact, most Alzheimer's patients are very sweet once you get to know them. They are very appreciative.

Signs of Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer’s Are Seen in Gait - NYTimes.com

Signs of Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer’s Are Seen in Gait - The way people walk appears to speak volumes about the way they think, so much so that changes in an older person’s gait appear to be an early indicator of cognitive impairment, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Do The Next Thing

Do The Next Thing      I have had this poem pasted in my Study Bible for years.  Now I have found it again here and every one can enjoy it.

My Grand Daughter, Chloe, "Doing the next Thing."

Caregivers_Prayer

http://www.rdrpublishers.com/f/Alzheimer_s_Caregivers_Prayer_RDR.pd

This is a very good prayer with permission to make copies of it personal use.  

Dining with Dignity Even When it Seems Impossible!

Dining with Dignity Even When it Seems Impossible) Come for dinner Wednesday night...BRING DINNER. 

2) Make us a pot of homemade soup (low salt, no cream, be specific).
3) Check with me before you go to the grocery store so I can add a few items.
4) Give the gift of home-delivered meals.
5) If you go out to eat, bring me a "people" bag.
6) Give a gift basket of staples such as tuna, peanut butter, pasta and sauces, cheese and crackers, dried fruit, herbal teas, bottled sparkling water.
7) Give gift certificates from local grocery store.
8) Take the kids out for an afternoon snack or early supper.
9) Come "sit" while I go out for lunch.
 

The above excerpt from that link has these very good gifts one can give to lighten the load of care givers.   My favorite of the list is number 5.  The basket of staples for those on special diets can also be a favorite.  If one cannot or does not feel comfortable in the actual care of a loved one showing support in the above list is a way to encourage the ones who are.

Faith endures...

Christian Devotional Faith endures as seeing Him who is invisible (Heb. 11:27); endures the disappointments, the hardships, and the heart-aches of life, by recognizing that all comes from the hand of Him who is too wise to err and too loving to be unkind. But so long as we are occupied with any other object than God Himself, there will be neither rest for the heart nor peace for the mind. But when we receive all that enters our lives as from His hand, then, no matter what may be our circumstances or surroundings—whether in a hovel or prison-dungeon, or at a martyr's stake—we shall be enabled to say, " The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places" (Ps. 16:6). But that is the language of faith, not of sight nor of sense.

—Arthur W. Pink

Dust If You Must: Poem

This might just change your outlook on life!

Dust if you must.
But wouldn’t it be better,
To paint a picture, or write a letter,
Bake a cake, or plant a seed?
Ponder the difference between want and need.

Dust if you must.
But there is not much time
With rivers to swim and mountains to climb!
Music to hear, and books to read,
Friends to cherish and life to lead.

Dust if you must.
But the world’s out there
With the sun in your eyes,
the wind in your hair,
A flutter of snow, a shower of rain.
This day will not come round again.

Dust if you must.
But bear in mind,
Old age will come and it’s not kind.

Because You Care: Spiritual Encouragement for Caregivers

Because You Care: Spiritual Encouragement for t's important to remember that even the smallest things we do can make a difference bigger than we can imagine.

Everything you do with someone who has Alzheimer’s disease is an activity, because everything takes brainpower. As the disease progresses, there is less the person can do for herself, but that need to diminish the pleasure in the activity. 

Focus on strengths. Even in the late stage of Alzheimer’s, when people are bedridden or close to it, most still respond to music, a friendly voice, and loving touch. Most of the activities for late stage residents are centered on ADL’s (activities of daily living): bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding and changing. So fill them with music, a friendly voice, and your loving touch. Concentrate on the person, not the task at hand.

Dust If You Must: Poem

Reflections: My Lady

For five years I followed My Lady into her journey into Alzheimer's world. 

She loved to receive cards and letters and was well loved by her family and friends.  In the back ground on the wall you will notice Scripture verses posted on the wall as well as in other places.                                                

We enjoyed creating happy and memorable moments for her.  This was to be her last birthday.  Her 95th.                                                                  

She had been an avid musician and played the piano till the very last albeit with many mistakes.  She loved music and we sang hymns daily.

This was her last Christmas and was the first year we decorated in a big way and her family brought Christmas to her instead of taking her to their home.  She always had a gentle and gracious spirit.

She was very loved and cared for by her faithful care givers and was a testimony to her love for the Lord.  There was never a dull moment around her.  She was a very busy and co-operative lady.  She did a lot of sleep-talking and "managed her household" and directed imaginary children's choirs.

 She loved to take inventory of her purse and wallet contents and was delighted when discovering that certain items were found.                       At this time of year, I am often, reminded of my years with her as she passed away in the month of May      In my earlier years with her she would tell me "I am going crazy."   I would tell her how precious she was and she would reply "Well I don't think you will keep saying that when I keep doing things that don't make sense."   Then I would reassure her that the Lord knew all about it and she just had to concentrate on what needed to be done.     We enjoyed many walks with her walker and then in the wheel chair.  She loved going to her mail box and looking through her mail.     Earlier POSTS on this blog  about MY LADY tell of other adventures.   

FIVE YEAR JOURNEY WITH MY LADY

For five years I followed My Lady into her journey into Alzheimer's world. 

She loved to receive cards and letters and was well loved by her family and friends.  In the back ground on the wall you will notice Scripture verses posted on the wall as well as in other places.                                                  

We enjoyed creating happy and memorable moments for her.  This was to be her last birthday.  Her 95th.                                                                  

She had been an avid musician and played the piano till the very last albeit with many mistakes.  She loved music and we sang hymns daily.

This was her last Christmas and was the first year we decorated in a big way and her family brought Christmas to her instead of taking her to their home.  She always had a gentle and gracious spirit.

She was very loved and cared for by her faithful care givers and was a testimony to her love for the Lord.  There was never a dull moment around her.  She was a very busy and co-operative lady.  She did a lot of sleep-talking and "managed her household" and directed imaginary children's choirs.

  She loved to take inventory of her purse and wallet contents and was delighted when discovering that certain items were found. 

                     I am often, reminded of my years with her as she passed away in the month of May.

     In my earlier years with her she would tell me "I am going crazy." 

  I would tell her how precious she was and she would reply "Well I don't think you will keep saying that when I keep doing things that don't make sense." 

  Then I would reassure her that the Lord knew all about it and she just had to concentrate on what needed to be done at the present time.

    We enjoyed many walks with her walker ,and then in the wheel chair.  She loved going to her mail box and looking through her mail.

     Earlier POSTS on this blog  about MY LADY tell of other adventures.   

Inexorable March of TIME: Self-Reflections

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze

(Women)
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears

(Tevye)
What words of wisdom can I give them?

How can I help to ease their way?                  Here, I sit, again, contemplating the many facets of my life.  The days are swiftly following each other as I visit various aspects of the past weeks.  I will admit that not every day has gone as planned, in fact, I have been visited by many surprises of which some have not been welcomed.  Surprises that have taken different,difficult courses at times. Challenges that have come in different shapes, sizes, and color.   

Proud vs. Broken People - Feeding on Christ

Proud vs. Broken People - Feeding on Christ

Leave It There - YouTube

Leave It There - YouTube        Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

My life is in your hands - YouTube

My life is in your hands - YouTube

Dotty's Ten Tips for Communicating with a Person Living with Dementia | Alzheimer's Reading Room

Dotty's Ten Tips for Communicating with a Person Living with Dementia | Alzheimer's Reading Room