I’m so pleased to let you know about an important book, 30 Days of Hope When Caring for Aging Parents.
Even if you aren’t currently caring for someone, you can be prepared for the future because most everyone faces some sort of caregiving in their lives. Kathy Howard’s book offers encouragement, knowledge, inspiration, and hope with 30 devotions, including scripture, stories, application and reflection questions. I wish I could have had Kathy’s book when I cared for two elderly women: my mother and my mother-in-law who had Lewy-bodies dementia. I could have benefitted from this book and not felt so alone and without support.
You could win Kathy’s book in the drawing. Read below for instructions how to enter. Here’s a little excerpt from her book that I hope will encourage you.
Can I Parent and Honor My Parents?
by Kathy Howard
Due to Mom’s worsening dementia, she could not stay alone while my father was hospitalized. Each day we drove to the hospital to spend the bulk of the day with Dad and then I took her home for the night.
During the drive one morning, I saw Mom rummaging in her purse in my peripheral vision. At a stoplight I glanced over in time to see her touch a mascara wand to her lips.
“What ‘cha doin’ Mom?” I asked casually.
“I need a little color on my lips,” was her reply.
Seriously, what do you do with this? I could let her walk into the hospital with black lips, setting her up for possible embarrassment. I could stop her with a quick rebuke. Or I could ask God to help me do the right thing, the right way. I quickly asked God for wisdom and words.
“Mom, I’ve got some lipstick in my purse that would look great on you. Want to try it?”
Mom dropped the mascara in her purse and used my lipstick. Her feelings were spared and she was satisfied. I’d like to tell you every encounter is similar, but sadly it’s not. Too often I react from my own resources instead of God’s.
As our parents age, as illness takes it toll, they require increasingly more help. As the parent becomes more like a child, the child must take on the parenting role.
God’s Word teaches that honoring and caring for our parents is our God-given responsibility and pleases Him (1 Timothy 5:40). But is it possible to both care for and honor our parents?
We can do what’s best for our parents with kindness and respect. But we must first make sure our hearts are right with God.
More than once I’ve caught myself trying to do the right thing in the wrong way. My impatience and selfishness fostered harsh words.
I’ve learned that the end result isn’t all that matters. The words and actions we use to get there should comfort, encourage, and strengthen our parents.
Honoring our parents while caring for them is not child’s play. But God stands by to supply everything we need to do the right thing, the right way.
Think about some of your recent interactions with your parent. In what ways, if any, could you have improved on the outcome?
Thank you, Kathy, for sharing with us.
To put your name into the book giveaway drawing, please make a comment on this blog post or connect with me through the Contact page on my website. The drawing will close on Friday evening, October 12, 2018.
Kathy Howard calls herself a “confused southerner.” Raised in Louisiana, she moved with her engineer husband around the U.S. and Canada. She says “pop” instead of “Coke” and “you guys” as often as “y’all.” But she’s still a southern girl at heart! Kathy encourages women to live an unshakeable faith by standing firm on our rock-solid God no matter life’s circumstances. Kathy, the author of eight books, including the new daily devotional “30 Days of Hope When Caring for Aging Parents,” has a Master’s in Christian Education. She is passionate about Bible study and discipleship and loves sharing at women’s events and retreats. Kathy is also a regular contributor to Crosswalk.com, Hello Mornings, Arise Daily, and more. Kathy and her “mostly retired” husband live in the Dallas/Ft Worth area near family. They have three married children, four grandsons, and three dogs – one of them on purpose. She provides free discipleship resources and blogs regularly at www.KathyHoward.org. Kathy also connects with women at Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
To order 30 Days of Hope When Caring for Aging Parents:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1625915438?pf_rd_p=d1f45e03-8b73-4c9a-9beb-4819111bef9a&pf_rd_r=DVKDY1V9ZFGQ8E46E9S
Thank you. My mom, who is 81, had some set backs recently where I became her caretaker. It was a very alarming and scary role at first. Getting a “taste”, though scary, brought things that were in my heart quickly to the surface, causing me to have to face the issues head on. I am thankful now for the time to have helped my mom. It has brought us a bit closer to each other. (Though there is still navigation to do!!) My dad, who, on the other hand at 89 and in very good health, shows no signs of slowing down. May that continue! Thank you for offering this book. If I win it ;), I would put it to good use! God bless you!
Randi, Thanks so much for commenting and putting your name into the drawing. These journeys with our elders are complicated yet, like you said, God brought healing. I can relate because I’ve cared for two elderly parents and God did a number on my heart too through them.
I’m excited about your new book. It’s one I sure could use as I care for a loved one–my husband. I’m sure many of the principles in your book would apply to a spouse as well.
You are absolutely right, Debbie. What Kathy Howard shares applies to anyone in a caregiving situation. Thanks for coming and putting your name into the drawing.
Kathy, Thanks for sharing the excerpt from the “30 Days of Hope…”
I’ve been finding that I need God’s grace and mercy to help me as I daily interact with my own dear mother. He is patiently refining me.
Hi Joy! So glad to hear from you. I’m glad you found the excerpt meaningful and I know the book will minister as well. God is indeed patient, isn’t He? Thank you, Lord. I’ve put your name into the drawing.
I would have loved this book when I was caring for my Mother many years ago. But now, I have a second chance to love like Jesus, as a very dear friend is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Her family are in denial and it’s very difficult to see what is transpiring. Myself and another friend need this book to do our best in this situation. Thank you for sharing this post.
Oh my, Penny. That must be hard. It’s so easy to take these dementia diseases personally and we don’t want to face the pain. I pray for you knowing the Lord has called you into a unique place of ministry in this friendship to your friend and her family. Thanks for putting in your name into the drawing.
Thanks for sharing the excerpt from the book. I’m not at the point in my life of taking care of my parents. This book would be helpful in the future.
Thank you, Julie, for participating in the drawing. I trust the Lord will guide and strengthen you for any caregiving in the future. And I’m sure Kathy’s book will be a resource the Lord will want to use.
Congratulations, Julie. You are the winner of Kathy Howard’s book. I’ll put you into contact with her. Thanks again for participating!
Thank you very much!
Dementia is scary and hope reading this will give me a better insight about it. My grandmother suffered from it.
Lillian, you are right about dementia being scary. And about Kathy’s book being insightful. I’ve put your name into the drawing. Thanks for stopping by.
Kathy, thank you for allowing me to share about my new book with your readers. Caring for parents is a challenging but also special time in our lives and theirs.
It’s my pleasure, Kathy, to highlight your very important book. I wish I had it available to me while I was caring for my mother-in-law with Lewy-Bodies dementia and my mom who lived nearby. Thank you for writing your book!
Thank you for writing on this topic. My husband and I are making the hard adjustment to the caregiving season while still parenting children who live at home. Some days I am heartbroken, others I am just mad. Every day I am asking God for patience and love to serve well.
Audrey, thank you so much for sharing. I can sure understand those feelings and Kathy Howard can also. It’s a very hard adjustment and little in our lives prepares us for this season. Plus, you have your own children at home and that adds extra stress. My heart goes out to you. Thank you for your example of seeking God every day. I’m confident He is strengthening you more than you realize and will continue. I’ve put your name into the drawing. God bless you.
And the winner is….Julie!!!!! Thank you so much for entering the drawing. I’m so pleased Kathy Howard will be sending her book to you.
And to everyone who participated. Thank you for stopping by and I hope you’ll order Kathy’s book. I know it will be a blessing for you.
We will all be old one day and need to try and have patience I think caring for the elderly or sick is one of the toughest jobs anyone could have.
That is true, Debbie. It’s one of the toughest jobs, I think even more than mothering sometimes. Especially if our elder has certain diseases which are mean-spirited. So thanks again as always for stopping by and for your support!