The Ache of the Waiting Room

Today’s guest blogger is author Jennifer Dukes Lee. In the past year, whilst writing her book It’s All Under Control, she went through a season of caregiving for her parents. Here’s what she learned. The Waiting Room This is the waiting room. Welcome. You know this place, don’t you? When… Read more“The Ache of the Waiting Room”

A Staph Infection filled with Fear

My boy has a staph infection.  Undetermined source. Scary. Fever-inducing. Icky. Doctor monitored.  Antibiotic drowned. But it’s OK. Because my boy is 17 and cancer free. As awful as a staph infection is now, it’s not what it used to be! When Andrew was four, we drove home from my high… Read more“A Staph Infection filled with Fear”

Truth and Grace: the Cornerstones of Surviving as a Caregiver

Cornerstones of Caregiving: Truth and Grace They say God provides grace for every moment of a caregiver’s journey. True. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Moments of doubt and frustration; Tired of wearing a happy-face-state-of-grace and tired of acting like the strong one who could shoulder the chemo and the… Read more“Truth and Grace: the Cornerstones of Surviving as a Caregiver”

The End of an Era and Making New Connections

An Ending… For over four years Blessed (but Stressed) has hosted the Inspire Me Monday linkup—sometimes other bloggers have acted as co-hosts, sometimes not. We’ve loved making connections with all of you! For the past two years, writers and readers have found community over at www.anitaojeda.com, as well. I started the… Read more“The End of an Era and Making New Connections”

Four Tips for Encouraging Others When It’s Not Your Love Language

Encouraging Others is a Learned Skill Encouraging others does not come naturally for me. Maybe my intorvertedness or laziness keeps me from encouraging others, but I know that encouragement plays an important role in others achieving success. Everyone Moves at a Different Pace My husband and I took ten kids… Read more“Four Tips for Encouraging Others When It’s Not Your Love Language”

What Would You Try if You Knew You Had Already Won?

What Would You Try if You Knew You Had Already Won? “What time are you hoping to run it in?” the well-dressed, silver-haired runner in front of me asked as we waited in the chill morning air near the front of our color group. “I just want to make it… Read more“What Would You Try if You Knew You Had Already Won?”

Three Things You Need to Take Out of Your Purse

Dear Friend, You’ve been hauling three things around in your purse that weigh you down and make you feel burdened, depressed and desperate. Take a moment to sort though all that stuff you haul around and determine what you really need. I’m not talking about the lipstick, your kid’s dirty… Read more“Three Things You Need to Take Out of Your Purse”

How to Tell If You’re Being Encouraged or Manipulated

When the doctors diagnosed Pedro with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma back in April of 2002, word spread like wildfire through our small community. People who had never spoken a word to me in our first eight months suddenly started dropping by to help and encourage us. It didn’t take long for me… Read more“How to Tell If You’re Being Encouraged or Manipulated”

Kiss Those Monkeys Goodbye

Dear Friend, We all have limitations. Sometimes, we lament our physical shortcomings. “I’d be a better teacher if I could lead my students in singing—they would learn concepts so much faster.” Or, “My son would be better at basketball if only he were taller—if only I wasn’t so short!” Or,… Read more“Kiss Those Monkeys Goodbye”

Guide Us With Your Grace

This morning my husband texted me with this question: “What does ‘guide us with your grace’ really mean?” Good question. Pedro’s been listening to Josh Groban—probably as loudly as the speakers can handle, since I’m far away from home right now. In fact, I have only slept in my bed… Read more“Guide Us With Your Grace”