APRIL | Edge UMC

April 10th, 2026 Scripture: Galatians 5:13 "Serve one another humbly in love." Devotion: God often works through ordinary people doing ordinary acts of kindness. Every time we offer encouragement, lend a helping hand, or simply take time to listen, we become part of His work in the world. Care begins when we notice others and respond with compassion. Small acts of love can create a lasting impact. Tip: Look for one opportunity today to help someone in a simple and meaningful way. Reminder: Care grows when compassion turns into action. Care in the community begins with something simple but powerful: love and compassion. Every day, we have opportunities to notice people around us who may need support. It could be a neighbor who feels lonely, a friend going through a difficult season, or someone at church who needs help with a meal or a ride. When we slow down and truly see others, we begin to understand what care looks like in real life. Care is not always big or planned. Often, it is found in small moments where we choose kindness. In the Wesleyan tradition, faith is always on the move. John Wesley believed that faith was never meant to be private or passive. Instead, it grows in community, is tested through love, and is demonstrated through action. One of his most well known teachings was that there is no holiness but social holiness. What I love about that idea is that it reminds us that our relationship with God is deeply connected to how we treat other people. We cannot separate loving God from caring for our neighbors. Every time we show compassion, listen with patience, or step in to help someone, we are living out our faith in a visible way. Caregiving is one of the clearest examples of this. In the United Methodist tradition, we often talk about the means of grace. These are the ways God shapes us through prayer, worship, Scripture, Communion, and Christian community. Over the years, I have come to believe that caregiving can also be a means of grace. When we sit with someone who is afraid, grace is present. When we remain patient during a difficult moment, grace is present. When we choose compassion instead of convenience, grace becomes visible. Caregiving is not only something we do for others. It is something that changes us as well. As we care, our hearts become softer. We become more patient, more understanding, and more aware of what others may be carrying. Our faith grows because we are putting it into practice. We begin to discover that God is not only present in church services. He is present in hospital rooms, living rooms, nursing homes, classrooms, recovery programs, rideshares, and quiet conversations between friends. One of the things I love most about Mighty Caregivers is seeing care happen in everyday places. I see people checking on neighbors. I see people encouraging friends. I see people sharing resources and offering support. Most of these acts will never make the news, yet they matter deeply. Providing care in the community does not require special training or a perfect plan. It starts with a willing heart. It begins when we ask, "How can I help?" and remain open to the answer. When we choose to care with love and compassion, we become part of something bigger than ourselves. We become part of a living faith that brings hope, connection, and grace into the lives of others. And in the process, we often discover that God is changing our hearts too.

April 11th, 2026 Scripture: Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord." Devotion: Caregiving is not always easy. It requires time, patience, energy, and love. There will be days when you feel tired and wonder if your efforts are making a difference. Yet God is present in every act of care. When we choose to serve others with compassion, He uses those moments to shape our hearts and strengthen our faith. Caring for others becomes more than a task. It becomes an opportunity to serve God. Tip: When you feel tired today, pause for a moment and pray, "God, help me right now." Reminder: God is present in every act of love. Providing care takes a lot of energy. It asks for your time, your focus, and your heart. Some days, you may feel tired or worn out. But even in those moments, something important is happening. When you consistently show up with love, you demonstrate your love for God. You are saying, "I am here," even when it is hard. In the Wesleyan tradition, shaped by John Wesley, we talk about means of grace. These are ways God helps us grow through prayer, reading Scripture, worship, and Christian community. Over the years, I have come to believe that caregiving can be a means of grace as well. When you care for someone with love, God is working in that moment. When you sit with someone who is afraid, grace is there. When you are patient, even when you feel tired, grace is working. When you choose kindness instead of taking the easy way, grace becomes visible. These moments may seem small, but they matter more than we realize. One of the things I learned during my years working in senior living is that some of the most meaningful moments were often the quietest. They were not the big events or the programs that took weeks to plan. They were the conversations in the hallway. The resident who needed someone to listen. The family member who needed reassurance. The person who simply needed to know they were not alone. Those moments taught me that caregiving is not just something we do for others. It is something God does in us and through us. As we care for people, our hearts begin to change. We become more patient. More understanding. More compassionate. We start seeing people differently. We begin to notice needs that we once overlooked. We discover that real love is often quiet and steady. Keeping your energy does not mean you always feel strong. It means staying connected to God. Over the years, I have learned that some of the most powerful prayers are also the shortest. Sometimes all we can say is, "God, help me right now." And somehow, He does. Strength comes. Peace comes. The next step becomes clear. You may start to notice God in places you never expected. Not just in church, but in homes, hospitals, nursing homes, recovery programs, classrooms, and simple conversations. You may begin to see Christ in the people you are caring for. You may also discover that Christ is walking beside you, giving you exactly what you need for the moment. That is what it means for caregiving to be a means of grace. It is not about being perfect. It is about showing up with love. And when we do, caregiving becomes more than helping another person. It becomes one of the ways we love God.

April 12th, 2026 Scripture: Galatians 6:2 "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Devotion: Sometimes the greatest act of care is simply being present. We do not always need the perfect words or a solution to every problem. God often works through our willingness to sit beside someone, listen, and remind them they are not alone. Small moments of compassion can carry a burden, lift a spirit, and bring hope to another person's day. Tip: Spend a few extra minutes today with someone who may need encouragement. Reminder: Being present is one of the greatest gifts you can give. One of the most important lessons I learned during my years working in senior living is that caregiving is not always about fixing problems. Sometimes it is simply about being present. I remember a resident who spent much of her day sitting by herself near a window. She would watch the world go by. Some days she watched the birds outside. Other days she watched visitors coming and going. Most of the time, she sat quietly, keeping to herself. One afternoon, I noticed a staff member pull up a chair beside her. They talked for a few minutes. Then they sat quietly together before the staff member returned to work. The next day, I saw the same thing happen again. And then again the following day. Eventually, I asked the staff member about it. She told me that the resident reminded her of her grandmother. She noticed that the resident often sat alone and thought she might enjoy some company. That was all there was to it. There was no special program. No recognition. No reward. Just one person deciding to spend a few minutes with another person. Over time, I noticed something begin to change. The resident smiled more often. She became more engaged with the people around her. She seemed lighter somehow. Her circumstances had not changed, but she no longer felt quite so alone. That experience taught me something I have never forgotten. Many people are not looking for someone to solve their problems. They are looking for someone to walk beside them while they face them. As caregivers, we often feel pressure to have answers. We want to know the right thing to say. We want to fix what is wrong. Yet some of the most meaningful moments of care happen when we simply show up and stay present. I think about this whenever I hear someone say they are not a caregiver. If you have ever sat with a friend during a difficult season, listened to someone who needed to talk, checked on a neighbor, or spent time with someone who felt lonely, you have provided care. You carried part of their burden. You reminded them they were not alone. That is exactly what Paul was talking about when he encouraged us to carry one another's burdens. We do not do it through grand gestures. Most of the time, we do it through simple acts of kindness and presence. God often works through those moments. A conversation. A visit. A phone call. A chair pulled up next to someone who needs a friend. The world tells us that bigger is better. Caregiving teaches us something different. Sometimes the smallest moments make the biggest difference.

April 13th, 2026 Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:10 "If either of them falls down, one can help the other up." Devotion: God created us to live in community. We were never meant to carry every burden by ourselves. Sometimes we are the ones offering support. Other times we are the ones who need encouragement, guidance, or a helping hand. There is strength in allowing others to walk beside us. Giving and receiving care are both part of God's design. Tip: Ask for help today if there is something you have been trying to carry alone. Reminder: You do not have to do everything by yourself. I believe something simple and powerful: everyone needs help sometimes. It may be you. It may be someone you love. Or it may be a neighbor quietly trying to carry more than they can handle. No one is meant to walk through those moments alone. Over the years, I have noticed that asking for help is often harder than offering it. Many of us are willing to step in and support someone else, but when it comes to our own struggles, we try to carry the weight by ourselves. We tell ourselves we can handle it. We convince ourselves that we do not want to bother anyone. Yet life has a way of reminding us that we all need each other. I remember talking with a caregiver who spent years helping everyone around her. She cared for family members, checked on neighbors, volunteered at church, and was always the first person to offer support when someone was struggling. Then one day, she faced a challenge of her own. At first, she tried to handle it by herself. She did not want to ask for help. She felt like she should be strong enough to manage it alone. But eventually, people began showing up for her the same way she had shown up for them. Friends brought meals. Neighbors checked in. People prayed for her and offered encouragement. What surprised her most was how much those simple acts meant. She later told me that receiving care was harder than giving it, but it also reminded her how loved she truly was. I think many caregivers can relate to that. We often spend so much time helping others that we forget we are allowed to receive help too. We forget that strength is not about carrying every burden by ourselves. Sometimes strength is allowing others to walk beside us. That is one of the reasons Mighty Caregivers exists. My hope is that people discover they are not alone. My hope is that caregivers realize there are others who understand. My hope is that when life becomes difficult, people feel comfortable reaching out instead of carrying everything by themselves. The truth is that every one of us will face a moment when we need support. And that is okay. God created us for community. He created us to encourage one another, pray for one another, and help one another through difficult seasons. Sometimes we are the helper. Sometimes we are the one being helped. Both are important. So if you are carrying something heavy today, remember this: you do not have to carry it alone. Everyone needs help sometimes. And sometimes allowing others to help is one of the bravest things we can do.

April 14th, 2026 Scripture: Hebrews 6:10 "God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people." Devotion: Many acts of care happen quietly and without recognition. God sees every encouraging word, every helping hand, and every sacrifice made on behalf of another person. Even when others do not notice, your care matters. The smallest acts of kindness can make a lasting difference in someone's life. Tip: Take a moment today to thank someone whose care often goes unnoticed. Reminder: The people who quietly care for others deserve encouragement too. On Monday, something simple turned into something meaningful. A few of us from church had the opportunity to deliver homemade cookies to a local nursing home. The cookies were delicious, but what we were really bringing was appreciation. As we walked through the doors, I was reminded of something I have seen throughout my career. Some of the most important people in our communities are often the least recognized. Every day, caregivers quietly show up to care for others. They help people get dressed, provide comfort during difficult moments, offer encouragement, listen to concerns, and make sure basic needs are met. Most of the time, they do this without expecting recognition. As we handed out the cookies, I watched smiles appear on faces that had likely spent the day caring for everyone else. I heard simple words like "thank you" and "this means a lot." The cookies were appreciated, but I think what mattered most was knowing that someone had taken the time to acknowledge them. It made me think about how often caregivers work behind the scenes. Many people never see the early mornings, the long shifts, the patience required, or the emotional energy that caregiving demands. They do not see the small acts of kindness that happen throughout the day. Yet those moments matter. They make a difference in the lives of the people receiving care. One of the lessons I have learned over the years is that everyone needs encouragement, including the people who spend their lives encouraging others. A simple thank you can go a long way. A kind word can brighten someone's day. A small gesture can remind a caregiver that their work is valued. What I love about delivering cookies is that it creates an opportunity to pause and recognize the people who quietly care for others. It is a simple way of saying, "We see you. We appreciate you. What you do matters." As caregivers, we often focus on helping those who are struggling. That is important. But sometimes we also need to encourage the people doing the helping. The truth is that communities are strengthened by people who quietly show up every day and care. My hope is that we become better at noticing them. Because care grows when it is acknowledged. And sometimes the most meaningful gift we can give is simply letting someone know that what they do matters.

April 15th, 2026 Scripture: Galatians 6:2 "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Devotion: Care is often found in ordinary places. It happens when people take time to help one another, listen to one another, and serve one another. God works through these everyday moments of compassion. When we choose to care, we become part of something bigger than ourselves. Tip: Pay attention to the people around you today. You may discover acts of care happening in places you least expect. Reminder: Care has a way of multiplying when people come together to help one another. Some of you may not know this, but I work in a residential mental health treatment facility. The people I serve often have very little money, and it can be difficult for them to obtain basic necessities, such as clothing. Recently, I took a group to Edge to visit the clothes closet. I thought we were simply going to pick up some clothes. What I experienced that day was something much greater. Everywhere I looked, I saw people caring for others. The clothes closet was filled with volunteers helping people find what they needed. Down the hall, I saw a preschool class preparing to go outside with a teacher who was calm, patient, and attentive. In the church office, people were busy preparing for the week ahead. Outside, neighbors stopped to talk and check in with one another. Upstairs, families and children were receiving support and care through the Autism center. Everywhere I looked, someone was helping someone else. It was a busy place, but it did not feel rushed. It felt purposeful. As we drove back, one of the residents looked at me and said, "That is a busy place." The more I thought about that comment, the more I realized he was noticing something important. He was not simply talking about activity. He was noticing care. He was seeing people serving, helping, encouraging, teaching, supporting, and connecting with one another. What made the place special was not how busy it was. What made it special was how people were showing up for each other. That day, my residents received clothes they needed. But they received something else too. They experienced what it feels like to be in a place where care is everywhere. I think many of us are looking for places like that. Places where people notice one another. Places where people are willing to help. Places where kindness is normal and compassion is part of everyday life. The truth is that we all have the ability to create those kinds of places. Every time we offer encouragement, lend a helping hand, listen to someone's story, or take time to support another person, we help build a community where care can grow. That resident was right. It was a busy place. But more importantly, it was a caring place. And that is what made all the difference.

April 16th, 2026 Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10 "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others." Devotion: God has given each of us unique gifts, talents, and experiences. We may not always think they are important, but when we offer them in service to others, they can become a blessing. We do not have to do everything. We simply need to use what God has already placed in our hands. Tip: Think about one talent or skill you enjoy and consider how it might encourage someone else. Reminder: Your gifts matter, and someone may be waiting for exactly what you have to offer. There is something powerful about using what you already have to serve others. Your talents, your skills, and your life experiences are not small. When you offer them to your community, they become something mighty. I want to encourage each of you in the Mighty Caregivers Circle to pause and ask, "What can I offer?" It does not have to be complicated. It simply needs to come from who you are. Recently, our church organist and I had a conversation that really stayed with me. She shared that she was not quite sure how she could help others beyond what she was already doing. As we talked, she mentioned how much she loves playing the piano and organ. Then she remembered something. Years ago, she used to play for residents in a nursing home. As we continued talking, she said something simple but powerful. She would love to do that again. Right now, I am reaching out to local assisted living communities to see if there is an opportunity for her to share her gift with residents once more. What struck me was how naturally the idea emerged. She was not trying to create something complicated. She was not looking for a grand project. She was simply thinking about what she already loved to do. That is what being a Mighty Caregiver often looks like. A song can lift a spirit. A familiar hymn can bring back a treasured memory. A few moments at a piano can reach someone's heart in a way that words cannot. Sometimes the most meaningful acts of care come from offering what we already have. Over the years, I have met caregivers who bake, garden, sing, teach, listen, organize, encourage, build, write, and pray. They all have different gifts, but they share one thing in common. They use those gifts to help other people. The world often tells us that making a difference requires something big. Caregiving teaches us something different. Making a difference often starts with something simple. It starts with asking, "What can I offer?" Today, I invite you to think about your own talents. What do you enjoy? What comes naturally to you? What experiences have shaped your life? Our neighbors do not always need something extraordinary. They need something real. And what you carry may be exactly what someone else is waiting for.

April 17th, 2026 Scripture: Revelation 12:11 "They triumphed by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony." Devotion: Stories have the power to encourage, connect, and inspire. When we share what we have experienced and what we have learned, we remind others that they are not alone. God often uses our stories to bring hope to someone who needs it. Even a simple story can make a lasting difference. Tip: Share a story this week about someone who inspired you through their kindness or care. Reminder: Your story may be the encouragement someone else needs today. One of the things I love most about Mighty Caregivers Circle is that we have the opportunity to share stories. Stories help us see care in action. They help us notice the people who quietly make a difference in the lives of others. They remind us that caregiving is happening all around us, often in ways we might otherwise miss. I see this every time I drive for Uber. People step into the back seat carrying more than luggage. They carry responsibilities, worries, hopes, joys, and challenges. Sometimes a simple conversation begins, and before long, they are sharing pieces of their lives. They talk about aging parents. They talk about children they are raising. They talk about friends they are helping through difficult seasons. They talk about love, responsibility, loss, and hope. What strikes me is how often these conversations reveal caregiving. Many people do not think of themselves as caregivers. Yet when they share their stories, I hear examples of compassion, sacrifice, patience, and support. I hear stories of people showing up for one another every day. Over time, I started sharing some of these experiences through my Backseat Stories. I do this carefully and respectfully. I protect people's privacy. I do not need to share names or personal details to tell a meaningful story. The lesson is what matters. The care is what matters. The hope is what matters. What I have discovered is that stories have a way of inspiring other people. When someone hears about an act of kindness, they often begin to think about the kindness they have experienced or offered themselves. When they hear about caregiving, they begin to recognize the caregivers in their own lives. Stories help us see what was already there. They help people realize they are not alone. One of the most powerful things that happens when we share stories is that people begin to feel connected. They realize that others have faced similar challenges. They discover that other people understand what they are going through. A story can provide encouragement. A story can create understanding. A story can offer hope. Sometimes a person only needs to hear that someone else has walked a similar path and found a way forward. That is why I believe sharing stories matters. Not because we are trying to draw attention to ourselves, but because stories help us shine a light on care. They help us celebrate the people who make a difference. They help us recognize the goodness that exists in our communities. Most importantly, they remind us that none of us walks this journey alone.

April 18th, 2026 Scripture: Colossians 3:12 "Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Devotion: Compassion begins when we take the time to notice another person's struggle. It moves us beyond seeing and inspires us to care. God calls us to respond with kindness, patience, and understanding. Small acts of compassion can bring comfort, hope, and encouragement to someone who needs it most. Tip: Take a moment today to ask someone how they are really doing and listen to their answer. Reminder: Compassion often starts with simply noticing. Compassion is one of the most powerful gifts we can offer another person. It does not require special training, a title, or a perfect plan. Compassion begins when we notice someone else's need and choose to respond with kindness. Every day, we encounter people who are carrying burdens we cannot see. A coworker may be struggling with stress. A neighbor may be feeling lonely. A friend may be facing a challenge they have not shared with anyone. The cashier at the grocery store, the person sitting beside us at church, or the stranger we pass on the street may all be carrying something heavy. We rarely know the whole story. That is why compassion matters. Compassion invites us to slow down and see people differently. Instead of rushing past them, we take time to listen. Instead of judging, we seek to understand. Instead of assuming someone is fine, we recognize that they may need encouragement. Over the years, I have learned that compassion is often expressed through small actions. A smile. A kind word. A phone call. A note of encouragement. A willingness to sit with someone who is hurting. These moments may seem ordinary, but they can have an extraordinary impact. One of the things I admire most about caregivers is their ability to show compassion day after day. They continue to care even when they are tired. They continue to listen even when they have their own worries. They continue to show kindness because they understand that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Compassion does not always solve a problem. Sometimes it simply reminds a person that they do not have to face that problem alone. I believe the world needs more compassion. It needs more people willing to notice, listen, encourage, and care. The good news is that compassion is something every one of us can offer. You do not need to change the whole world today. You only need to make a difference for one person. A compassionate heart can brighten a difficult day, ease a burden, and remind someone that they matter. And often, that is exactly what they need.

April 19th, 2026 Scripture: Philippians 2:14 "Do everything without grumbling or arguing." Devotion: It is easy to focus on what is wrong when we are tired, frustrated, or overwhelmed. Yet God invites us to see people through a different lens. Behind many difficult behaviors is a person who is hurting, struggling, or carrying a burden we cannot see. When we choose compassion over complaint, we create space for healing, understanding, and grace. Tip: The next time you find yourself frustrated with someone, pause and ask, "What might this person be going through?" Reminder: People who are hurting often need understanding more than judgment. As caregivers, it is easy to fall into conversations about what is wrong. We talk about difficult situations, challenging behaviors, and frustrating moments. Sometimes we complain because we are tired. Sometimes we grumble because we feel overwhelmed. Sometimes we simply need to let off steam. The truth is that caregiving can be hard. But I wonder what would happen if we reframed the conversation. What if, instead of asking, "What is wrong with this person?" we asked, "What happened to this person?" What if, instead of focusing on the behavior, we focused on the hurt behind it? Over the years, I have worked with seniors, families, caregivers, and individuals receiving mental health services. One thing I have learned is that many difficult behaviors come from pain. People who seem angry may be afraid. People who seem impatient may be overwhelmed. People who seem distant may be lonely. People who seem difficult may be carrying burdens they do not know how to express. A lot of people are hurting. Some are grieving. Some are struggling financially. Some are caring for loved ones while feeling exhausted themselves. Some are dealing with anxiety, depression, illness, or uncertainty about the future. When we remember this, it changes how we respond. Compassion begins to replace frustration. Understanding begins to replace judgment. Grace begins to replace criticism. This does not mean we ignore problems or pretend everything is fine. It means we choose to see the person behind the problem. Jesus did this constantly. He saw beyond the surface. He looked beyond the behavior and saw the heart. He recognized pain where others saw inconvenience. He offered compassion where others offered criticism. As caregivers, we have the opportunity to do the same. Every person we meet is fighting a battle we may know nothing about. That difficult customer, that frustrated family member, that resident who complains, or that coworker who seems short tempered may be carrying more than we realize. When we reframe the conversation, we begin to see people differently. Instead of asking, "Why are they acting this way?" we begin asking, "How can I help?" That simple shift can change everything. The world has enough grumbling. What it needs more of is compassion. Compassion begins when we remember that many of the people around us are hurting and looking for someone who will see them with understanding and grace.

April 20th, 2026 Scripture: Colossians 3:14 "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." Devotion: Grace often appears in unexpected places. It shows up when we choose patience over frustration, understanding over correction, and love over convenience. God invites us to meet people where they are, just as He meets us where we are. When we do, grace has room to work in both their lives and ours. Tip: The next time someone tests your patience, pause and try to see the situation from their perspective. Reminder: Grace grows when we choose understanding. Grace often shows up in ways we do not expect. I remember Catherine, a remarkable woman who was 101 years old and living with dementia. As her caregiver, I struggled at first. Whenever I was nearby, she would call out for my attention. It seemed constant. There were days when it felt like I could not take two steps without hearing her call my name. At times, it was frustrating because I was trying to care for many people at once. What I did not understand was what was happening in Catherine's world. It took patience and a willingness to slow down before I began to see it clearly. One day, I realized that in Catherine's mind, I was not simply a caregiver. I was her husband. Everything changed when I understood that. Instead of trying to correct her reality, I stepped into it with her. Rather than telling her she was mistaken, I chose to meet her where she was. Grace met me there. I started sitting with her during meals and spending a little extra time with her throughout the day. I gave her the presence and attention she was asking for. Something remarkable happened. Catherine became calmer. She seemed more at peace. What once felt like an interruption became an opportunity to provide the care she truly needed. To my surprise, caring for her became easier. There were still moments that stretched me. There were days when I felt overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. But Catherine taught me one of the most important lessons of my caregiving career. When we choose patience, grace has room to work. When we enter another person's world instead of forcing them into ours, we begin to understand them differently. We stop seeing them as a problem to solve and start seeing them as a person to love. That lesson extends far beyond dementia care. Every day, we encounter people carrying burdens we cannot see. Some are grieving. Some are afraid. Some are lonely. Some are struggling with circumstances we know nothing about. When we slow down long enough to understand their perspective, compassion begins to replace frustration. Care does not always look efficient. It does not always fit neatly into a schedule. It does not always follow our plans. But when care is rooted in grace, it meets people exactly where they are. Catherine taught me that love is often quieter than we expect. Sometimes it looks like sitting at a table a little longer. Sometimes it looks like listening one more time. Sometimes it looks like entering another person's reality with kindness and patience. That is where grace often lives. Right in the middle of love that chooses to stay present.

April 21th, 2026 Scripture: Ephesians 4:2 "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Devotion: Patience is one of the greatest gifts we can offer another person. When people are hurting, worried, or frustrated, their patience may wear thin. In those moments, they need someone who can remain calm, steady, and supportive. God shows patience with us every day, and He invites us to extend that same grace to others. Tip: When someone becomes frustrated today, pause before reacting and respond with kindness instead. Reminder: Your patience can provide peace when someone else is struggling. One of the things I have learned about caregiving is that people are not always patient when they are hurting. When someone is worried, afraid, sick, lonely, or overwhelmed, patience can be hard to find. The person who is normally calm may become frustrated. The person who is usually easygoing may become demanding. The person who is waiting for answers may struggle with uncertainty. As caregivers, we sometimes find ourselves on the receiving end of that frustration. I have seen this throughout my career. I have watched residents become impatient while waiting for a meal. I have seen family members become frustrated while trying to navigate difficult situations. I have listened to people who were tired of waiting for answers, tired of waiting for healing, or tired of carrying burdens that seemed to have no end. In those moments, it can be easy to become impatient ourselves. We may want to remind them that we are doing our best. We may want them to see how much effort is being made on their behalf. We may even feel frustrated that our attempts to help are not being appreciated. Over the years, I have learned something important. Often, their impatience is not really about us. It is about what they are carrying. Behind frustration is often fear. Behind anger is often hurt. Behind impatience is often uncertainty. When we remember this, it changes the way we respond. Instead of becoming defensive, we can become understanding. Instead of reacting to the frustration, we can look for the need behind it. Instead of matching their impatience, we can offer calm and reassurance. This does not mean we allow people to treat us poorly. It means we recognize that many people are doing the best they can while carrying burdens we may not fully understand. Some of the most meaningful caregiving happens when we remain patient during another person's difficult moment. A calm voice can ease anxiety. A listening ear can reduce frustration. A reassuring presence can help someone feel safe. Patience has a way of creating space for healing. I think about how patient God has been with me throughout my life. There have been times when I wanted answers immediately. Times when I wanted things to happen on my schedule. Times when I became frustrated because life was not going the way I expected. Yet God remained patient. As caregivers, we have the opportunity to offer that same gift to others. The next time someone seems impatient, try to look beyond the behavior. Ask yourself what they might be feeling. Ask yourself what burden they may be carrying. You may discover that what they need most is not an answer. They may simply need someone who is willing to be patient with them while they find their way through a difficult season.