The Importance of Caregivers Cultivating Friendships

“The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.”

C.S. Lewis

I have fond memories of sitting in a circle with fellow Girl Scouts singing, “Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold.”

That couldn’t ring truer today.

 



Decades later, I consider my friends like jewels in a crown, valuable.

“Two are better than one” the book of Ecclesiastes teaches, “for if they fall, the one will pick the other up; but woe to the one that is alone.”

Women regard their friendships as a necessary part of life and wouldn’t trade a good friend in for a million bucks.

For full-time caregivers, cultivating friendships can be challenging.

However, I’ve learned a couple of secrets to maintaining friendships while caring for my grandchildren.

Be intentional.

In the midst of work, packing lunches, taxing my granddaughters to and from school and various activities, weeks can pass by before I realize I haven’t connected with anyone older than 12. In order to cultivate friendships, I’ve learned I have to be intentional.

How do I do this with my crazy life?

 

Often times I’ll meet a friend at Starbucks after dropping the girls off to school. Even if we only have  time for a quick cup of coffee and a few minutes to catch up, it’s precious few minutes well-spent.

Other times, my super-hero hubby, Tom, will volunteer to entertain the girls while I meet a friend for a lunch or dinner date.

I also love the arts, museums, and a good outdoor concert. My daughter, Tish, will often volunteer to keep her nieces on a Friday night while I attend an event with friends.

If finding a babysitter is an obstacle, contact a trusted teen from your church.

It’s important that we find time to break away from our normal routines, and cultivate friendships. It’s healthy and necessary to make those connections on a regular basis.

There’re lots of times when I don’t have time to meet face-to-face. That’s when texting comes in handy; even if it’s a simple, “thinking of you today” text, I'm making that connection.

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times.

 

Connecting with childhood friends, Becky, Maureen, and Pam. I'm on the left behind Becky.

My best friend of all is Jesus, James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” Jesus is the one friend who will never let you down or forsake you.

Is Jesus your best friend?

If not, here’s a simple prayer inviting him to not only be your best friend, but your Lord and Savior as well:

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness.

I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin.

You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess the Lord our God and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we shall be saved.

Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved.

Thank you, Jesus, for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore, Lord Jesus, transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself.

Thank you, Jesus, for dying for me and giving me eternal life.
Amen.