Week one—Welcome to our small group study!Yes—this book club selection is really a small group study! Carol Travilla’s book, Caring Without Wearing, is going to be a blessing to each one of us as we read and reflect on her wisdom. This selection is a bit different than our past books as it is written as a small group guide. That means, if you are reading this book with us, we are going to need to hear from you. Your participation is going to be so important to the success of our book study and to your ability to really take in what Carol is teaching us.
We won’t be able to take the space on the blog to answer every question Carol presents. I’m hoping to be able to choose the questions we should each answer—so this book study will be a bit more directed than other books have been. I’m looking forward to reading your responses and to learning with you how to care without wearing out.
Questions:
1. Carol suggests that we introduce ourselves and I think that is a great idea. In just a few sentences, please introduce yourself, telling us what you think we should know about you. (I realize there may be security concerns so we won’t press to get information you don’t feel safe to share.)
2. Share one experience when you needed and received care. What did that care look like? List words to describe the kind of care you received.
3. When you read the story of Elizabeth and Mary in Luke 1, what thoughts about their situation inform your idea of caring?
4. Is there a person you are being called to care for? Can you share that person’s name and situation? How can we pray? Please, everyone—take time to pray for these people who need care.
4 comments:
I am Stephanie... I came to a saving faith from a non-believing home when I was 15 years old. I am a wife, a mother (of two) and have been living overseas (on and off--- mostly on) since 1997. I just moved to the UK one year ago to initiate a prayer and soul care team for our org. So, my role now is prayer and... caring for others, journeying/being as "soul friend" with others who live and work overseas. I do have a specific group of ladies I have the privilege of walking with in particular (12 individuals living in a variety of places).
Personally, I have many times needed, (and do still need)loving care... I experienced a debilitating illness 10 years ago in which the care needs were intense. Briefly, words i might use to describe "good" care I have received would be: gentle, loving, selfless, spirit-led (thinking of wise, bold, spirit filled words of encouragement, discernment and direction)
Lastly, I am struck by Elizabeth's willingness to let God be God and do what He was doing in Mary--- she seems to have intense faith which allows her to respond with joy and excitement--- Spirit given--- to Mary's "predicament". I was blessed by this thought of Elizabeth's ability to hear God speak through the leaping of her womb--- she was ready to listen to Him and to see Him in Mary's situation. This has encouraged my heart to listen, look, and be ready to hear Him in regards to those I am caring for. To see them with His eyes as Elizabeth saw Mary.
A PK, former missionary, now pastory's wife--I’m married to Kevin, mother to David and Anne Marie who are married to Maggie and Tony, and Ama to David and Maggie’s little Eliot. I have moved more times than I think is good for anyone but God has sustained me and enriched me through each move. For the last almost 4 years I’ve felt particularly rootless as we always knew we were moving again–too long a story to share here....
This leads me to when I’ve needed and experienced care. These moves have meant that my local community hasn’t always been real strong. I have long distance friends who are wonderful to listen to me and pray for me and with me. They have been a life line to me during these many years of transition and I feel so blessed that they have stuck with me. Phone calls, emails, skype calls, packages, cards, and even personal visits have been true hugs of encouragement to me. Listening to my heart as well as my words and then reflecting wisdom and insight back to me has been priceless.
I feel like Elizabeth and Mary had so much in common–they were kindred spirits for each other. In their times of feeling isolated and alone, God gave them each other. What joy they must have felt in sharing their pregnancies and babies with each other.
My aunt Corrine falls into the theme of these comments as she is long distance from me but I am her primary care-giver. I’ve just moved her–twice actually. Once to an assisted living place in August, when that wasn’t a good fit, to a memory care facility in Sept. I love her so much and it is so hard for us to see her lose herself as she ages. Pray that I will know how to provide the care she needs even from a long ways away.
Hi, Stephanie--I am looking forward to doing this book with you. I hope others will join us!
When I was 18, I left home in sunny California and headed east to Chicago. I attended Moody Bible Institute where I met my husband, Matt. Since then, God has blessed us with 3 kiddos, and we have been living in Haiti for almost 4 years now. We believe that as we live among the poor and wrestle with the complexities of poverty right along with our neighbors and friends, we maximize our opportunities for evangelism and discipleship. This is our passion, life and work.
When I was a senior in high school, I went through an extremely difficult time of physical and emotional illness. The care that was most meaningful to me during that time was understanding and non-judgmental.
As I revisit the story of Mary and Elizabeth, I was struck by Elizabeth's understanding and faith. In a time when many were not believing Mary's story, she needed someone like Elizabeth. Someone to just believe her and love her, instead of doubt and judge.
The season of life that I am in now, as a mom with three kids ages 4 and under, is as exhausting as it is rewarding. Sometimes I feel so tired after caring for my own kids, that I don't have the energy to care for others. And yet I am learning that I actually love listening and caring for others. When I think I'm too worn out to care for others, I usually find that I am re-energized and refreshed by giving of myself to care for another. I am trying to remind myself of this more often, and trying to find an appropriate balance.
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