Hope for the Caregiver

Are you "sowing in tears?" This this episode is for you!

Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him. - Psalm 125:5-6

Are you sowing in tears? What does that even mean to us a caregivers. Take a listen to this episode as we unpack this Scripture and talk about it in the context of serving as a family caregiver.

 Autism, Alzheimer's ...Addiction:  There's always a caregiver.

Whenever you find someone with a chronic impairment, you always find a caregiver.  That's why we do the show. 

This episode is from our December 7 show and features, callers and a special song from Gracie. Her recently released CD is titled Resilient.

For a tax deductible contribution to Standing With Hope ( the presenting sponsor of this show) for any amount, we will send you Gracie's CD as our gift to you!. 

 

Camp Southern Ground

Almost a decade ago, Grammy winner Zac Brown envisioned creating a life changing camping experience similar to his own ...but one that was inclusive for children (and families) struggling with challenges. His heart also went out to the wounded warrior community and his answer was to create Camp Southern Ground.  

"As a former camp counselor and camper, I know how a positive camp experience can transform a child’s life. My dream is that children of all abilities will have an opportunity to grow and learn from each other, while experiencing the magic of the outdoors. It is also important to me that we take care of the families that protect our freedoms and keep this country safe. Camp Southern Ground will be a haven for children of family members serving in the military, as well as be a respite for our active and veteran service members. Through our partnerships we’ll be able to welcome military families to our camps year-round. Thank you for supporting our efforts and for helping us create an amazing place that is much more than the typical camp experience." - Zac Brown

Jake Dukes, VP of Strategic Initiatives, called our show to discuss this extraordinary camp and the programs that are available to families with children on the spectrum.  He also detailed their amazing veterans' programs that step into their families to offer a path towards healing and growth. Whether it's a veteran struggling to transition from active service to civilian life ...or those struggling with PTSD, Camp Southern Ground is ready and eager to come along side those veterans and their families and play an important role in their journey following their service. 

 

About Peter Rosenberger and HOPE FOR THE CAREGIVER

A 30+ year caregiver for his wife, Gracie, who lives with severe disabilities, Peter Rosenberger understands the caregiver’s journey and is committed to strengthening the family caregiver.  Through his books, music, and weekly radio show heard on Sirius XM's Family Talk Channel and 180 additional stations, Peter demonstrates an unswerving commitment to those who put themselves between a vulnerable loved one and even worse disaster.

For More Information visit: www.hopeforthecaregiver.com 

 

Breathe on Me Breath Of God

Think back through difficult times in your life ...when hot tears filled your eyes. Maybe when your body was wracked with pain or your heart was broken. 

Did you feel like singing during those times?

And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, Acts 16:23-34

Since meeting my wife, Gracie, more than 34 years ago, I am constantly amazed that during the most brutal times of her life, even from a hospital bed following amputations, she sang. Although her voice barely whispered at times, there were other moments when it carried down the hall of countless hospital corridors through her 80+ surgeries. 

Each one of those times not only astonished and moved me, but nurses, doctors, techs, and visitors as well. It's not simply that she raised her voice in song, but Gracie's voice is a rich, passionate voice that has captured the heart of audiences since she first performed at age 3. 

One of those memorable times, however, came at the bedside of someone else. As my mother lay fighting for her life in hospital bed struggling to breathe with congestive heart failure, Gracie sang to her.

My mother asked for one of her favorite hymns:  "Breathe on Me Breath Of God." 

The picture with this podcast is of Gracie holding my mother's hand and singing this wonderful from the hymnal.  Gracie's rich voice echoed throughout intensive care ...and caused nurses to quietly stand by the room door and listen. 

I am grateful to report that my mother is doing well.  This hymn remains one of her favorites, and Gracie recorded this for her new CD ... a cappella. 

If you are struggling with heartache and/or physical issues today, please allow Gracie to sing to you as she did for my mother. 

1. Breathe on me, Breath of God,
   Fill me with life anew,
   That I may love what Thou dost love,
   And do what Thou wouldst do.
2. Breathe on me, Breath of God,
   Until my heart is pure,
   Until with Thee I will one will,
   To do and to endure.
3. Breathe on me, Breath of God,
   Till I am wholly Thine,
   Until this earthly part of me
   Glows with Thy fire divine.
4. Breathe on me, Breath of God,
   So shall I never die,
   But live with Thee the perfect life
   Of Thine eternity.

Gracie's new CD, Resilient is available today.  For more information visit: www.standingwithhope.com/resilient 

Miserable Caller Wants Advice, But Doesn't Want Counseling, Church, or a Recovery Program."

Caller states he is the patient, caregiver, and addict ...all wrapped into one, and is miserable. But he doesn't want any of the things we point him to on this show.  Then, he pivots and wants to tell a joke ...and gets mad at me for not laughing. 

Listen to see if you like the joke. Clearly, according to this caller, I just don't have a sense of humor. 

 

A Conversation With My Brother, Dr. Richard Rosenberger

"I didn't even know what Cerebral Palsy was until we received the diagnosis for our daughter." - Dr. Richard Rosenberger

For this special edition of HOPE FOR THE CAREGIVER, I invited my brother to call in and share his vast journey as a caregiving father for 30+ years ...and as an educator.  Richard is the Superintendent for Anderson County School District #2 in Upstate South Carolina. 

In this interview he candidly shares his lengthy journey, mistakes, wisdom, and passion for education.  

Hope for the Caregiver is heard Sunday Evenings at 6 PM Eastern on Sirius XM Channel 131 (FAMILY TALK) and Saturday Mornings at 8 AM Eastern on American Family Radio.

 

Gratitude for Fleas?!

My favorite reminder of gratitude is this story of a remarkable woman who learned to thank God in all things ...including FLEAS while in a concentration camp during WW2. 

Sponsored by: 

Standing With Hope

Near to the Heart of God

Cleland Boyd McAffee, a Presbyterian minister, provided the church with one of the most treasured and enduring hymns. Like many great hymns, however, this one also came from great sorrow. 

Two of his young niece died of diptheria, but in the family's grief, McAffee penned this great hymn that continue to bring comfort and strength to millions. 

One could reasonably state that McAffee's greatest sermon can by found in the countless hymnals around the world. 

There is a place of quiet rest,
near to the heart of God,
a place where sin cannot molest,
near to the heart of God.

Refrain:
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
sent from the heart of God,
hold us, who wait before thee,
near to the heart of God.

There is a place of comfort sweet,
near to the heart of God,
a place where we our Savior meet,
near to the heart of God. [Refrain]

When selecting songs for my CD, Songs for the Caregiver, I knew this hymn had to be on the project. I've always loved it, and made it the first song on the album. 

It means something to me as a caregiver, and i felt it would encourage, comfort, and strengthen my fellow caregivers. 

While I've served as a caregiver for more than 33 years, I've been a pianist for much longer. Sometimes, I don't always have the words to express my feelings, and that's when I find myself at the piano. I can't take away my burden ...or yours, but i can play for both of us.  

Enjoy ...

Peter

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