Have you ever really looked at an African violet plant? I have one on my kitchen table that I bought three years ago at a local grocery store. the African violet that I have, when it is in bloom, has five pedals with four yellow stamens in the center. They have delicate leaves, very different Continue Reading >>
Waiting on Spring
I was driving home from the Giant food store to pick up medicine for my husband Arvid the other day. It was raining, cold and grey outside. It was supposed to be Spring with warmer temperatures and flowers and trees bursting with new life. Someone told me that it was the coldest weather we have Continue Reading >>
How Bereaved Parents Can Cope
The death of a child at any age, under any circumstance, is indeed the toughest experience a parent could face. The grief is all-consuming, and it can be difficult to live your everyday life. There is no right way to grieve, but there are some things that may help you to cope. Find a support Continue Reading >>
Hope and a Future
“I am only one but I am one. I cannot do everything but I can do something and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” (Edward Hales) That is the way we feel as we minister to those who are chronically ill, grieving the loss Continue Reading >>
How to Deal with Chronic Illness in a Marriage
Remember that part of your wedding vows when you promised to love and honor one another in sickness and in health? If you’re dealing with a chronic illness in your marriage, where one or the other spouse is very sick, it’s not as simple as remembering that you made a promise to love and honor Continue Reading >>
All I want for Christmas is Jesus
When your heart is heavy with sadness or sorrow, the last thing you want to do is celebrate the holidays. The carols and bells, the tinsel and evergreens, serve only to remind you of the burden weighing so heavily on your spirit. While you weep, wresting with the realities of life without the one you Continue Reading >>
The Various Benefits of Being a Volunteer
If you have spent time volunteering before, you might actually be a happier, healthier, and well-rested person compared to people who have not given it a shot. Volunteering is all about giving back to others but Spiritual Care Support Ministries can guarantee that you’ll get something out of volunteering too. Take a look at the Continue Reading >>
Being Thankful is Impossible! (Or is it…?)
It’s that time of year when we talk about being thankful, after all Thanksgiving will soon be here. I am not sure what you are grieving over. Perhaps, your loved one just died, you found out that you have a disease that is not curable, or you have a chronic illness that will not go Continue Reading >>
Let This House Be Known As Home
Let This House Be Known As Home May it hold the charm of Laughter, yet be a place for peaceful thought. May it be your family’s Haven whenever love or trust is sought. May it be a source of Memories, of moments spent in loving care. May this house be known as Home and may Continue Reading >>
The Power of Your Hands
I was thinking today about my hands, and felt that God was giving me a message about the power of our hands. Would you take a moment before you read on to look at your hands? Our hands were created by God. No one has hands like you. Our hands are powerful and can be Continue Reading >>
Understanding the Stages of Grief
Grief is an overwhelming emotion that we all deal with differently and, regardless of how strong your faith is, when someone you love dies, your heart will waver. Dealing with loss is difficult, exhausting, emotional, and painful. There are stages of grief and it is important to understand what those stages are in order to Continue Reading >>
As an adult, what is my helping role when a child or teen is grieving?
Thank you so much for caring about knowing how to effectively support a child or teen as they grieve. Always begin with God. Pray as you prepare yourself before addressing the issues that a child may have. Provide a supportive and safe environment for them. If a child has come to speak to you about Continue Reading >>
Caring for the Caregiver
Being a caregiver to an ill or elderly family member is a difficult job. Caregivers often face stress, anxiety, and worry, not to mention the physical demands that come with caring for someone. In order to be a good caregiver, you must take good care of yourself from an emotional, physical and spiritual standpoint. If Continue Reading >>
How do I know when I need to ask for professional help when I am grieving?
I first want you to know that it takes courage to ask that question. These are some of the “red flags” that may be helpful in letting you know if you should ask for help. You should ask for help if you are constantly thinking of ending your life and have a plan to do Continue Reading >>
How do I help my friend who is grieving?
Helping begins with being a good listener. Your friend will need to mourn, and that means you may hear the same story over and over. Your friend does not want you to “fix” him or her but to just listen and show your concern. Allow your friend to express their feelings without you being critical Continue Reading >>