I spent most of my adult life as a caregiver and I complained a lot at the beginning of the journey. I complained then, yet now, I thank God for the positive outcomes and who I have become as a result of the caregiving. I never imagined how hard it would be, yet how rewarding it is. Looking at it from this other side, I know you are probably right in the midst of it and it could be hard to focus on the positive.

Someone has said that hindsight is 2020 and, in my situation, as being a caregiver, that is truly accurate because I can see so many positive outcomes from the opportunities that I had and the choices that I made to care for loved ones. The first one is I became the hope lady and wrote a book about it. If you allow God to enter your circumstance, no experience is ever wasted. When you learn from it, it will take you to a new level. So much of my testimony revolves around the initial experience of moving in with my little feisty mother in love. It was not an easy time, yet I would not be the person I am today without those stories to tell and the common experiences that I can have with you. Another very positive outcome is that I learned to honor fully and will receive the benefits of honoring for the remainder of my life.

What are some active things you can do? Here's what I suggest.

• Make a list of your benefits of caregiving. I love to mind map. That's where you put a circle in the middle and spokes out. And this is the basis for how I gain the content to start writing, because it allows me to capture my thoughts as they're occurring, and it helps me to get them all down without organizing them without stopping.
• Rewrite the end of your own story. Make the decision today to change the end of your life script. No matter what has been done to you today, you can take control of the rest of your decisions. Choose to give to yourself freely, yet establish boundaries. Forgive and let go of past hurts.
• Take care of yourself. When rested and balanced you bring about a positive outcome for those you care for. Make a list of the benefits, rewrite the end of your own story and take care of yourself. Zoom on into those possibilities. And here's another part. It may seem like it right now, but this will not last forever.

Prayer:

Thank you Lord, that I have been taught the true meaning of honor and I ask you, Lord, that this message will resonate with my listeners. Thank you Lord, that you provide a special blessing when I honor those I care for and I'm looking forward to the blessing of a really long life and the favor that comes along with it. I also choose to forgive freely and move forward with confidence in your goodness and the plan you have for me and everyone in my family. Stand tall and honor fully, because that's what you're looking for. I ask this in Jesus name. Amen.

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