Groveland Edge United Methodist Church
My Living E-Journal
Here I share reflections, stories, and lessons from my journey of caring for myself so I can better care for others. Through fitness, faith, connections, and everyday experiences, I hope to encourage you to take a step toward your own self care journey.
Journal is under construction while I add past entries
June 2026
June 1st, 2026 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19 "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit?" Devotion: God created our bodies with purpose. He designed us to live, work, serve, and move. Taking care of our physical health is one way we honor the gift God has given us. Small steps taken consistently can lead to meaningful change. When we care for our bodies, we are better prepared to care for others. Tip: Take a short walk today, even if it is only for a few minutes. Reminder: Every step forward is a step toward better health. Over the last year, God has been teaching me an important lesson about movement. For many years, I spent my time helping other people care for themselves. I encouraged residents to exercise. I led activities. I talked about healthy habits. Yet somewhere along the way, I realized I was not always following my own advice. Like many caregivers, I became busy caring for others. There was always another task to complete, another responsibility to manage, and another person who needed support. At the end of the day, I often felt too tired to focus on my own health. Then something began to change. I started thinking about how God designed our bodies. When I look at Scripture, I see people walking from place to place, working with their hands, traveling, serving, and living active lives. God created us to move. Our bodies were never meant to spend all day sitting still. I decided to make movement a personal goal. Not because I wanted to win a race or become an athlete. I simply wanted to take better care of the body God had given me. What surprised me was how much better I felt when I started moving more. My energy improved. My mood improved. My outlook improved. Even on days when I did not feel like walking, I usually felt better after I did. I learned that movement does not have to be complicated. It does not require expensive equipment or a perfect plan. Sometimes it starts with a simple walk around the neighborhood. Sometimes it is stretching in the morning. Sometimes it is choosing to take a few extra steps throughout the day. The hardest part is often getting started. As caregivers, we sometimes place our own needs at the bottom of the list. We tell ourselves we will take care of ourselves later. The problem is that later often never comes. God calls us to care for others, but He also calls us to be good stewards of the bodies He has entrusted to us. That is one of the reasons I started becoming more intentional about movement. I realized that caring for myself was not selfish. It was necessary. The healthier I am, the more energy I have to serve others. The stronger I become, the more prepared I am for the work God has placed before me. Today, I want to encourage you to take one small step. You do not have to change everything at once. Just move. Take a walk. Stretch. Stand up and take a few extra steps. Start where you are. God created your body with purpose. Honor that gift by taking care of it. You may discover, just as I did, that those small steps can lead to big changes.
June 2nd, 2026 Scripture: Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn." Devotion: One of the greatest gifts we can give another person is our presence. We do not always have the power to fix what is wrong or change difficult circumstances. But we can choose to walk beside someone, listen to their concerns, and help carry their burden. Often, caring begins when we simply enter into another person's experience with compassion and understanding. Tip: Take time today to truly listen to someone without trying to solve their problem. Reminder: Your presence can be more powerful than your solutions. The summer of 1988 felt like it was supposed to be my summer. I was a Little League baseball player in Indiana, and I loved the game. I loved putting on the uniform, taking the field, and counting down the days until the next game. But that year, the weather had other plans. Indiana was experiencing a drought. The heat seemed endless. The grass turned brown, the ground became hard, and one by one our games disappeared from the schedule. Out of ten games, six were canceled. As a kid, that felt devastating. Every canceled game felt like something had been taken away. I remember being disappointed and frustrated because all I wanted to do was play baseball. My dad noticed. He did not tell me to get over it. He did not remind me that there were bigger problems in the world. He understood how much baseball meant to me. One day, he decided to take me to see the Cincinnati Reds play. Suddenly, I was not thinking about canceled Little League games anymore. I was sitting in a major league ballpark watching players I had only seen on television. At one point, after a couple of wild pitches, the benches cleared and excitement filled the stadium. To a young baseball fan, it was unforgettable. I left that game feeling better than I had in weeks. Then came the next season. This time it was not drought. It was rain. Five of our ten games were rained out, and there was not enough time to make them up. Once again, a season I had been looking forward to seemed to slip away. My dad understood my disappointment all over again. This time, he took me to Chicago to see the Cubs play. I had never seen so much baseball in my life. The game stretched into extra innings. Then came a rain delay. Then more baseball. Twelve innings in all. It felt like the longest game ever played, and I loved every minute of it. Looking back, what stands out is not the drought, the rain, or even the major league games. What I remember most is that my dad saw my disappointment and stepped into it with me. He did not fix the weather. He could not give me those Little League games back. What he gave me was something better. He gave me his time, his understanding, and his presence. Caregivers do this every day. They cannot always change the circumstances. They cannot always remove the disappointment, the diagnosis, the setback, or the loss. But they can sit beside someone, understand what they are feeling, and help them find a little joy in the middle of it. Sometimes caring is not about solving the problem. Sometimes it is about taking someone to a ballgame.
June 3rd, 2026 Scripture: Romans 15:7 "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you." Devotion: One of the greatest gifts we can offer another person is acceptance. When people feel welcomed, valued, and included, they begin to believe they belong. God accepts us as we are and continues to shape us through His love. As caregivers, we have the opportunity to create places where others feel seen, heard, and accepted. Tip: Take time today to welcome someone who may feel overlooked or alone. Reminder: A spirit of acceptance can change a life. Growing up as a preacher's kid, I spent a lot of time in church. Some people hear that and assume it must have been difficult. While there were certainly challenges that came with being the pastor's son, one thing stands out when I look back on those years. I always felt accepted. The church became more than a place we attended on Sundays. It became a community of people who helped shape my life. As a child with a significant hearing loss, there were many moments when I felt different from other kids. There were things I struggled with that most people never had to think about. Yet when I walked through the doors of church, I rarely felt defined by those challenges. Instead, I felt welcomed. The people in those congregations saw me as Jeremy. They did not focus on what I could not do. They focused on who I was. They encouraged me, talked with me, included me, and made me feel like I belonged. Looking back, I realize what a gift that was. Not everyone grows up feeling accepted. Many people spend years wondering if they fit in or if they truly belong. They carry doubts about whether others see them, value them, or understand them. The churches I grew up in gave me something different. They gave me a place where I felt connected. They gave me relationships with people of all ages. They gave me examples of kindness, encouragement, and service. I think those experiences helped shape the person I became. They taught me the importance of creating spaces where people feel welcomed. They taught me that acceptance is not about agreeing on everything. It is about recognizing the value and worth of another person. As I look at Mighty Caregivers today, I realize that is one of my hopes for this community. I want people to feel accepted. I want them to know they belong. I want them to know that their story matters and that they do not have to walk through life alone. Caregivers understand the power of acceptance. Sometimes people simply need someone to sit beside them and say, "You belong here." They need to know they are valued, not because of what they can do, but because of who they are. I am grateful for the people who created that experience for me growing up. They may not have realized the impact they were having, but their acceptance helped build confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging that has stayed with me throughout my life. The truth is that every one of us has the opportunity to offer that same gift to someone else. A smile. A welcome. A conversation. An invitation. Small acts of acceptance can help people feel at home. And sometimes that is exactly what they need.
June 4th, 2026 Scripture: Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him." Devotion: Hope can be a quiet thing. It does not always arrive with big answers or dramatic changes. Sometimes hope shows up in the small moments that remind us to keep going. A phone call from a friend. A good night's sleep after several difficult ones. A smile from someone who understands. A prayer whispered in the middle of a hard day. Over the years, I have met many caregivers who kept moving forward not because they had all the strength they needed, but because they held on to hope. They hoped for a better day. They hoped for healing. They hoped for wisdom. They hoped that what they were doing mattered. One of the things I have learned is that hope is not pretending everything is okay. Hope is believing that God is still at work even when we cannot see the whole picture. Tip: Look for one sign of hope today, no matter how small it may seem. Reminder: God is still at work, even when you cannot see the whole picture. About a year ago, I realized something needed to change in my life. For a long time, I had spent my energy caring for other people. That was not new for me. I had built my career around helping caregivers, seniors, families, and people facing difficult challenges. Caring for others was something I understood well. What I was not doing very well was caring for myself. I found myself carrying stress, feeling stuck in old routines, and knowing deep down that I needed to become more intentional about my own well being. The problem was that I did not have a perfect plan. I did not know exactly what the next year would look like. I just knew I needed to take a step. Looking back, hope was what helped me begin. It was not a dramatic moment. There was no instant transformation. Instead, hope showed up in small ways. It showed up through people who encouraged me. It showed up through conversations that challenged me to grow. It showed up through opportunities to improve my physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. One small step led to another. I started walking more. I became more intentional about spending time with people who encouraged me. I began creating space for God to work in areas of my life that I had neglected. Slowly, things began to change. The interesting thing is that hope often works that way. It does not always give us the entire path. Sometimes it simply gives us enough light to take the next step. As I look back over the past year, I can see God's hand in places where I could not see it at the time. He was working through friendships, opportunities, conversations, and moments that seemed small at first. Those small moments became part of a much larger story. Caregivers understand this better than most people. There are days when the road feels long and the answers are unclear. There are moments when progress feels slow. Yet hope reminds us that today's struggle is not the end of the story. My journey over the past year has taught me that hope is not something we create on our own. It is something we receive from God. As we trust Him, He gives us the strength we need for today and the courage we need for tomorrow. And sometimes, that is all we need. One more step. One more day. One more reason to keep moving forward.
June 5th, 2026 Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9 "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor." Devotion: God did not create us to walk through life alone. He often provides strength, encouragement, and wisdom through the people He places around us. When we allow others to support us, we discover that receiving care can be just as important as giving it. Healthy relationships remind us that we are loved, valued, and never alone on the journey. Tip: Reach out to someone who encourages you and let them know how much they mean to you. Reminder: Caregivers need caregivers too. Over the past ten months, I have gone through a personal life transition. As I look back, I can see how much has changed. While I am grateful for the weight I have lost, the greatest transformation has happened emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. For many years, I worked as an Activity Director in senior living communities. I loved the people I served, and I was passionate about helping residents live meaningful lives. The work was rewarding, but it could also be demanding. The days were long. The responsibilities were heavy. There was always another event to plan, another family to support, and another need to meet. In senior living, Activity Directors are often expected to work Sundays because that is when families visit. Communities want to feel active and welcoming. As a result, many weekends were spent caring for others instead of resting and recharging myself. Looking back, I can see that while I was helping others, I was not always taking very good care of myself. I was generally happy, but I do not think I experienced the kind of peace and balance that I do today. Somewhere along the way, I had fallen into a pattern that many caregivers know well. I spent so much time caring for others that I forgot to care for myself. One of the biggest changes over the past ten months has been intentionally surrounding myself with people who care about me. I have learned that caregivers need caregivers too. None of us is meant to carry every burden alone. God has placed some incredible people in my life. People who encourage me. People who listen. People who challenge me to grow. People who remind me to be kind to myself. Their support has helped me see that receiving care is not a weakness. It is part of how God designed us to live. I have also become intentional about using resources that bring calm and peace into my life. Daily reflection, exercise, prayer, meaningful friendships, and healthier routines have become important parts of my journey. These practices have helped me slow down, focus on what matters most, and create space for God to work in my life. One thing I did not expect was how much writing would become part of my self care. Sitting down to write these Mighty Caregivers Circle stories has become a way for me to reflect on where I have been and where God is leading me. Writing helps me recognize the people who have helped me along the way. It reminds me of lessons I do not want to forget. It also gives me an opportunity to pass that care on to others. As I look back on the past ten months, I am grateful for the progress I have made. More importantly, I am grateful for the people who have walked beside me. They have reminded me that caregivers are not meant to carry the weight of the world by themselves. If there is one lesson I hope you take from this story, it is this. Caring for yourself is not selfish. It is necessary. The better we care for ourselves, the better we are able to care for others. And sometimes the most important thing a caregiver can do is allow someone else to care for them.
June 6th, 2026 Scripture: Galatians 6:2 "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Devotion: God never intended for us to walk through life alone. He created us for community, encouragement, and connection. Some of the greatest gifts we receive come through the people He places in our lives. When we support one another, listen to one another, and walk alongside one another, we become part of God's care for His people. Tip: Reach out to someone today who has encouraged you and thank them. Reminder: We are stronger when we walk together. When we hear the words self care, we often think about things we can do by ourselves. We think about taking a walk, getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, spending time in prayer, or taking a few moments to rest. Those things matter, but over the past year, I have discovered something else. Many of the ways I care for myself involve other people. I am grateful for the Mighty Caregivers in my life. They encourage me, listen to me, pray with me, challenge me, walk alongside me, and remind me that I matter too. They have taught me that self care is not always something we do alone. Sometimes it is something we experience through relationships. In fact, all of you who receive the Mighty Caregivers Circle are Mighty Caregivers. Many people do not see themselves that way. They might say, "I am not a caregiver. I do not work in healthcare. I do not take care of a family member." But caregiving comes in many forms. Sometimes it is sending an encouraging text message. Sometimes it is listening to a friend who needs someone to talk to. Sometimes it is inviting someone to join a group, sharing a resource, praying for someone, or simply showing up when they need support. You may not think of yourself as a caregiver, but if you help another person feel seen, supported, encouraged, or cared for, you are caring for them. Years ago, one of my mentors was a nurse named Leo. Nurse Leo taught me that caring for people is often found in the small things. He had a way of making people feel comfortable and respected. He took time to listen. He noticed when someone was struggling. He understood that caring was not always about solving problems. Sometimes it was simply about being present. As I watched him work, I realized that people do not always remember exactly what we say or do. They remember how we made them feel. Leo cared for people every day, but he also taught me something important about myself. The people who care for others need care too. That lesson has stayed with me for many years. Today, when I look around, I see Mighty Caregivers everywhere. I see them in my morning groups. I see them in my friends. I see them in organizations that serve others. I see them in the people who read these reflections and encourage others with kindness. Over the past year, I have learned that self care is not just about exercise, prayer, healthy habits, or rest. It is also about relationships. It is about surrounding ourselves with people who encourage us, support us, and remind us that we do not have to carry every burden alone. We do not care for ourselves by ourselves. We need people who walk beside us. Thank you for being one of those people. You may not realize it, but your kindness, encouragement, prayers, and support help others care for themselves too. And that is what Mighty Caregivers is all about.
June 7th, 2026 Scripture: Jeremiah 18:6 "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand." Devotion: Life does not always follow the path we expect. There are times when plans change, doors close, and we find ourselves being reshaped by circumstances beyond our control. Yet God never wastes our experiences. Just as a potter continues working with clay, God continues working in our lives. Even when we cannot see what He is creating, we can trust that His hands are still at work. Tip: Take a moment today to reflect on a challenge that helped shape you into who you are today. Reminder: God is still working on your story. This week's scripture at my church comes from Jeremiah 18:1-6, where God sends Jeremiah to watch a potter at work. As the potter shapes the clay, the vessel becomes spoiled in his hands. Instead of throwing it away, the potter reshapes it into something new. I love this image because it reminds me that life does not always go according to plan. As caregivers, we often find ourselves caring for others through difficult seasons while also carrying our own struggles, disappointments, and uncertainties. Sometimes we may even feel a little broken ourselves. Yet God does not give up on us. Just as the potter continues to work with the clay, God continues to shape our lives. The difficult moments we experience are not the end of the story. God is still working, still molding, and still creating something beautiful from our experiences. I have spent a considerable amount of time trying to figure out how to help those who care. Around October 2016, my grandmother was battling dementia, and my parents were struggling to engage with her. One day, they asked me, "Where do you get this stuff you engage your residents with?" At the time, I was working as an Activity Director in a memory care community. That simple question changed something in me. It hit me that many caregivers did not know where to find ideas, resources, and support. On October 16, 2016, I wrote my first Facebook post for Engaging Dementia. I remember writing, "This is Engaging Dementia, and I hope it will help people." From there, I started sharing ideas and encouragement for caregivers. The journey was not nearly as simple as I thought it would be. Over the years, I explored different ideas, projects, and directions. Sometimes I would become excited about a new opportunity and pour myself into it. Other times I became discouraged when things did not develop the way I expected. There were seasons when I stepped away and seasons when I returned. More than once, I wondered if I was on the right path. Looking back now, I can see something I could not see then. God was shaping me the entire time. The frustration, the uncertainty, the starts and stops, and even the moments when I felt lost were all part of the process. Like clay in the hands of the potter, I was being reshaped. Recently, Mighty Caregivers has started to make sense to me in a way it never had before. I have realized that helping caregivers is not about finding one perfect idea. It is about consistency. Writing these stories takes consistency. Building relationships takes consistency. Caring for ourselves so we can care for others takes consistency. The lesson was never about creating something perfect. The lesson was about continuing to show up. In many ways, my story is a lot like the clay Jeremiah watched in the potter's hands. There were moments when I felt redirected, reshaped, and started over. There were times when I questioned the process. Yet God never gave up on me. The Potter kept working. Today, I feel like I have found part of my calling. God has shown me a way to encourage caregivers, connect people, and remind us that we are not alone. The path was not always straight, but every step helped shape the person I am becoming. If you are facing a challenge today, remember that the Potter is not finished with you. God sees your value, your purpose, and your potential. Even when life feels messy, He is still working. And sometimes the very thing that feels like a setback today becomes part of the beautiful story God is creating tomorrow.
June 8th, 2026 One of the greatest gifts we can give to the people we care for is joy and laughter. Looking back after more than 25 years of working with seniors, families, and caregivers, I realize that many of my favorite memories involve laughter. As an Activity Director, I carried countless stories in my pocket. Many of them were stories I shared over and over again in groups I led. Sometimes I felt like an actor standing on a stage. Other times, I felt like a comedian trying to get a laugh from the audience. The stories were always true, and I practiced telling them many times. At the time, I thought I was entertaining people. Looking back, I now understand that I was doing something much more important. I was bringing joy to the people I served. One of my favorite stories was about a class I took in college called American Humor. It was only a one-credit course, but one of our assignments was to create an original joke. I proudly earned an A with this joke: “Why did the chicken cross the playground? To get to the other slide.” Simple. Silly. Predictable. And yet that joke brought smiles to countless seniors over the years. Every time I shared it, I could see people relax, laugh, and enjoy the moment. Another favorite story was about how I know for certain that I cannot dance. My sister is a talented dancer who even graduated from Juilliard. One summer, she came home and tried her best to teach me how to dance. During my groups, I would act out just how terrible I was and how unsuccessful her efforts were. Of course, the story always included music and a dramatic demonstration of my lack of rhythm. The residents loved it. The families laughed. The staff laughed. And for a few moments, everyone shared joy and laughter. As caregivers, we often focus on helping people with their needs, challenges, and struggles. Those things matter. But joy matters too. A story, a laugh, a memory, or a shared moment can brighten someone’s day more than we realize. I think that’s one reason stories with humor are so powerful. They connect us. They remind us that life is not just about getting through the day. It’s also about finding moments that make us smile along the way. Today, I encourage you to share a story. Tell a joke. Laugh with someone. Bring a little joy to the people around you. You may never know how much that moment means to them.
June 9th, 2026 Scripture: Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Devotion: Courage does not require having all the answers. Often, courage begins with taking one small step toward helping someone else. God calls ordinary people to make an extraordinary difference through simple acts of kindness, compassion, and service. When we choose to care, even when we are unsure of the outcome, God can use our willingness to create something meaningful. Tip: Look for one opportunity today to help someone, even if you are not completely sure what to do. Reminder: A small act of courage can make a big difference in someone's life. What if, for just one day, we intentionally decided to lead courageously? Not because we have all the answers or know exactly what to do, but because we choose to care. Many of us assume that leadership belongs to people with titles, positions, or special training. But some of the most meaningful leadership happens in everyday moments when someone notices a need and decides to do something about it. I was reminded of this while shopping at Publix one day. As I walked through the store, I noticed an employee helping an older woman fill her grocery cart. The two seemed comfortable together, almost like old friends. Curious about their story, I asked the employee how this arrangement had started. She explained that the woman had come into the store needing help with her shopping. The employee wanted to help but was not exactly sure what to do. Instead of walking away from the situation, she went to her supervisor and asked if there was a way they could support this customer. Together, they came up with a plan. Now, the woman comes into the store on Wednesdays, and they shop together. What struck me most was when the employee told me, "At first, I did not know exactly what to do." I think many of us can relate to that feeling. We often believe we need to have a perfect plan before we act. We want to know the outcome before we take the first step. Yet courageous leadership rarely works that way. More often, it begins with simply caring enough to start. The employee did not have all the answers. She just saw someone who needed help and chose to do something about it. As I talk to people about Mighty Caregivers, I often hear them say, "I am not a caregiver." Then they begin sharing their stories. They tell me about checking on an elderly neighbor, helping a friend through a difficult season, encouraging a coworker who is struggling, volunteering at church, supporting a family member, or simply being there when someone needs a listening ear. As I listen, I cannot help but smile because what they are describing is caregiving. It may not look like a professional caregiver's role, but it is still caring for another person. I think many people underestimate the impact they have on those around them. They do not see themselves as leaders because they are not standing in front of a crowd. They do not see themselves as caregivers because they are not working in healthcare. But leadership and caregiving often happen in small moments that never make headlines. They happen when we choose kindness over convenience. They happen when we notice someone who needs encouragement. They happen when we step forward, even though we are not completely sure what to do. The Publix employee probably did not wake up one morning thinking she was going to become part of someone's support system. She saw a need and responded with compassion. That small act of courage created something meaningful for another person. It reminds me that courageous leadership is not about being fearless. It is about being willing to care enough to take the first step, even when the path is not completely clear. That is why I want to encourage you today. You may not think of yourself as a caregiver. You may not think of yourself as a leader. But if you are helping, encouraging, supporting, listening, serving, or showing kindness to another person, you are already doing both. You are a Mighty Caregiver. You have opportunities every day to make a difference in someone's life through simple acts of compassion. Imagine what our families, workplaces, churches, and communities would look like if each of us intentionally chose to lead courageously for one day. Imagine if we looked for opportunities to help instead of reasons to walk away. Imagine if we cared first and figured out the details later. I believe we would discover that many of the people around us are already leading in powerful ways. They just do not realize it yet. My hope is that Mighty Caregivers helps people recognize the important role they already play in the lives of others. You do not need a title. You do not need special qualifications. You simply need a heart that is willing to care and the courage to take the first step.
June 10th, 2026 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:14 "Do everything in love." Devotion: Love is more than a feeling. It is a choice we make every day. Sometimes love looks like encouragement. Sometimes it looks like patience. Sometimes it looks like showing up again and again when progress is slow. When we choose to love others through difficult moments, we reflect God's love in a powerful way. The seeds we plant today may grow into blessings we cannot yet see. Tip: Encourage someone today who may need a reminder that they can keep going. Reminder: Your patience and kindness may be changing a life more than you realize. When I think about what it means to love boldly, my mind immediately goes back to my childhood and a speech therapist named Mrs. Harmon. Long before I became a social worker, activity director, or someone who spends his days encouraging caregivers, I was a young boy trying to find my way in a world that often felt difficult to hear and understand. I was born with significant hearing loss, and as a child, that affected many parts of my life. Communication did not come easily to me. I struggled with speech, and there were sounds and words that I simply could not hear the way other children could. As a result, I required additional support in school. While other children were moving through their day without giving much thought to how they listened or spoke, I was working hard to keep up. It was frustrating at times. There were moments when I felt different, moments when I wanted to quit, and moments when I did not understand why learning had to be so difficult. That is when Mrs. Harmon entered my life. She became much more than a speech therapist in my school. She became someone who saw potential in me when I could not always see it in myself. From first grade through fifth grade, she worked with me consistently and patiently. Looking back now, I realize that what she gave me was much more than speech instruction. She gave me the gift of believing that I could do hard things. I was not always the easiest student. I was stubborn. I became frustrated when things did not come naturally. Learning speech patterns and practicing sounds required repetition and patience, two things that were often in short supply for a young boy who wanted to be anywhere else. Reading lips was especially challenging for me. It required concentration, practice, and a willingness to keep trying when I would rather have been doing something else. Many days, it felt uncomfortable, uncertain, inconvenient, and unfair. What amazes me today is that Mrs. Harmon never gave up. She could have become discouraged. She could have decided that my progress was too slow. She could have moved on and focused her energy elsewhere. Instead, she chose to stay committed. She continued showing up. She continued encouraging me. She continued finding new ways to teach me and help me succeed. Even when I was resistant, she remained patient. Even when I was frustrated, she remained hopeful. Even when I wanted to quit, she continued believing that I could learn. That is what loving boldly looks like. Loving boldly is having the courage to invest in someone even when the outcome is uncertain. It is choosing patience when progress is slow. It is seeing possibilities where others might only see challenges. It is refusing to give up on someone simply because the journey is difficult. Mrs. Harmon did not just care about me. She acted on that care. Day after day, year after year, she put her compassion into action. She demonstrated that love is not simply something we feel. Love is something we do. As I reflect on her influence, I realize that many of the things I can do today are connected to the investment she made in my life. The communication skills I use every day, the confidence I developed, and even my ability to connect with people through stories all have roots in those early years when someone cared enough to help me find my voice. At the time, I probably did not fully appreciate what she was doing. Children rarely see the full impact of those who are helping them. But now, with the perspective that comes from time and experience, I can clearly see the gift she gave me. I also think about how many caregivers are doing the same thing right now. Parents, teachers, nurses, therapists, friends, neighbors, and family members are investing in people every day without knowing what the outcome will be. They are encouraging someone who feels discouraged. They are helping someone learn a new skill. They are offering support to someone who feels like giving up. They are planting seeds that may not bloom for years. The beautiful thing about bold love is that it often changes lives quietly. There is no spotlight. There is no applause. There are simply people who choose to keep showing up because they care. Mrs. Harmon may never have realized the impact she had on my life, but I carry that impact with me every day. Her courage, persistence, and belief in me helped shape the person I would become. As caregivers, we may never fully know the difference we are making in someone's life. We may not see immediate results. We may wonder if our efforts matter. But loving boldly means continuing anyway. It means trusting that our kindness, patience, and encouragement are making a difference, even when we cannot yet see it. Today, I am grateful for Mrs. Harmon. I am grateful that she loved me boldly. And I am grateful for all of the Mighty Caregivers who continue to love boldly in the lives of others every single day.
June 11th, 2026 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12 "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body." Devotion: God created each of us with a purpose. Sometimes our role may seem small compared to others, but every part matters. When we faithfully use the gifts and opportunities God has given us, we help create something greater than ourselves. Never underestimate the difference your presence can make. Tip: Take a moment today to thank someone whose contributions often go unnoticed. Reminder: Your role matters more than you realize. One of my favorite memories from high school is band camp. I played the baritone, and there were only four of us in the entire section. Because there were so few of us, I always felt a lot of pressure to do well. If one of us missed our part, it was noticeable. I recall a particular marching band song where the baritone section played a significant role. For most of the performance, we blended in with the rest of the band. But during one section of the music, the baritones carried a part that stood out. It was one of those moments where we had to get the notes exactly right. We practiced it repeatedly. We listened carefully. We worked together. We knew people were counting on us. When performance day arrived, we nailed it. I still remember the feeling. It was not because people were cheering for the baritones. Most people probably had no idea what part we were playing. What I remember is knowing that our small section had contributed something important to the whole performance. As I look back, I think caregiving is a lot like that. Many caregivers feel like they are part of a small section. They quietly do their part without much recognition. They show up day after day, helping family members, friends, neighbors, and strangers. Much of what they do happens behind the scenes. There are times when caregiving feels like carrying pressure. Some responsibilities cannot be ignored. People are depending on you. Some days it may feel like no one notices your contribution. But your role matters. Just like our baritone section had a part that only we could play, every caregiver has something unique to offer. Your kindness, your patience, your encouragement, and your presence may seem small, but they are part of something much bigger. One of the lessons I learned from band camp is that every section matters. The music only comes together when everyone contributes their part. The same is true in our communities. Care happens because ordinary people choose to show up and do what they can. You may never stand in the spotlight. Most caregivers do not. But the lives you touch are better because you showed up and played your part. And sometimes, just like that baritone section years ago, you discover that your contribution was more important than you realized.
June 12th, 2026 Scripture: 1 John 4:19 "We love because he first loved us." Devotion: Unconditional love does not depend on performance, success, or circumstances. It chooses to care even when the path is difficult. God loves us not because of what we accomplish, but because we are His. As we experience that love, we become better able to share it with others. Tip: Show kindness to someone today without expecting anything in return. Reminder: Love is often most powerful when it is given freely. When I think about unconditional love, I think about my parents. Growing up with a significant hearing loss was not always easy. There were challenges that other children did not face. There were speech lessons, hearing tests, appointments, frustrations, and moments when I felt different from everyone around me. Through all of it, my parents were there. They did not love me because I succeeded. They did not love me because I got everything right. They did not love me only when things were going well. They loved me on the good days and the difficult days. They loved me when I was frustrated. They loved me when I was stubborn. They loved me when I struggled. As a child, I probably took that love for granted. Most children do. We assume our parents will always be there. We do not always stop to think about the sacrifices they make or the worries they carry on our behalf. As I have gotten older, I have come to appreciate what a gift that kind of love truly is. Unconditional love does not keep score. It does not constantly remind us of our mistakes. It does not disappear when life becomes difficult. Instead, it remains steady. It stays present. It continues showing up. I have seen that same kind of love in many caregivers over the years. I have seen spouses stand beside one another through illness. I have seen parents advocate for their children. I have seen friends remain loyal during difficult seasons. I have seen caregivers continue loving people through challenges, setbacks, and uncertainty. The world often teaches us that love should be earned. Caregivers understand something different. They understand that the most meaningful love is often given freely. That does not mean it is easy. Unconditional love requires patience. It requires grace. It requires a willingness to keep showing up when there is no guarantee of immediate results. When I think about the people who have shaped my life, I realize that many of them loved me this way. They believed in me when I doubted myself. They encouraged me when I was discouraged. They stayed when it would have been easier to walk away. Their love changed me. I believe that is one of the greatest gifts caregivers offer the world. They remind people that they are valued, not because of what they can do, but because of who they are. That is how God loves us. And when we choose to love others in that same way, we become a reflection of His love in the world. Today, I am grateful for the people who loved me unconditionally. Their care helped shape the person I am today. My hope is that each of us will find opportunities to offer that same gift to someone else.