Because You Care by Cecil Murphey and Twila Belk

From the Back of the Book:
As someone caring for an ill or elderly loved one, you understand that your role can push you to the limit, press on every nerve—and yet fill you with a deep sense of love and peace of mind.

Beloved authors Cecil Murphey and Twila Belk know this too. Beautifully written and full of gentle wisdom, their personal stories of caregiving will help you face some of the ups and downs of your journey.

• Feeling guilty for doing too much, too little, or nothing at all
• Answering other’s well-meaning but insensitive questions
• Watching someone you dearly love suffer or die

Here are the stories from those living the life. Let their encouraging words lift your heart.


Book Excerpt:
(from the beginning)

This Is Who You Are
From Cec and Twila

Others may call you brave. They’ll use words like noble or sacrificial. They’ll admire and applaud you because you’ve offered your life to make yourself available to someone who needs a long-term caregiver.

“I couldn’t do what you’re doing for him,” a friend says.

You listen to the words your friend speaks, and you like hearing the compliments. Yet as you listen and smile, you don’t see yourself as exceptional. You’re doing the right thing for someone you love, and that gives you peace. You also know the reason you’ve devoted your energies to another person.

You can express that reason in a single sentence: “I do it because I care.” You might say it’s because you love the person, or you may do it because of a strong sense of commitment to God and to your loved one. Regardless of how you express yourself, you’re determined to give yourself as fully as you can.

Some days you may not feel like loving anyone. You get tired, lose your temper, or think of the things you didn’t accomplish. During the worst times, you wish the situation would change. And in those dark moments, you’ve probably prayed, Dear Lord, please take this burden from me.

The situation probably won’t change for a long time—perhaps years. It’s not the kind of life you would have imagined. You probably envisioned living out your years in blissful peace. Caring for your loved one wasn’t part of your dream, but this is the life you have. Despite the moments of sadness, perhaps even regret, your answer remains the same: “I care.”

Taken from:  Because You Care.  Text Copyright © 2012 by Cecil Murphey, Twila Belk.  Artwork Copyright © 2012 by Betty Fletcher. Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon.  Used by permission.


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Because You Care Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Because-You-Care-Spiritual-Encouragement-for-Caregivers/250527628357568

Helpful Articles by Twila Belk:
Waiting and Wondering: http://www.encouragementcafe.com/2012/04/16/finding-peace/
Insensitive Remarks: http://www.encouragementcafe.com/2012/04/17/quick-to-listen-slow-to-speak/
Toenail Love: http://www.encouragementcafe.com/2012/04/18/humble-example/
Because You Care, You’ll Care for Yourself: http://www.encouragementcafe.com/2012/04/19/to-do-list-for-caregivers/
Caregivers Need Encouragement: http://www.encouragementcafe.com/2012/04/20/support-system/


Grand Prize Giveaway Description
Book—Because You Care: Spiritual Encouragement for Caregivers
Book—Hope and Comfort for Every Season
Hallmark journal, list pad, and memo pad stack
Glade “Angel Whispers” candle
Hershey’s Bliss dark chocolate

Instructions to Enter the Grandprize Drawing:

• Leave a comment about the book or author on the blog post during the blog tour.
• Each blog tour host will draw one name from those comments to send to the tour coordinator by October 12.
• The coordinator will put all the names into a drawing, and select a winner, using an online randomizer.
• The coordinator will notify the blog tour host who submitted the winning name.
• The blog tour host will notify the winner and collect the mailing info so the author can send out the prize.

For more info about Twila, visit: www.gottatellsomebody.com.

For more info about Cec, visit: www.cecilmurphey.com.

 
Bios
Twila Belk and Cecil (Cec) Murphey are both long-term caregivers for their spouses. Twila, aka the Gotta Tell Somebody Gal, is a writer and speaker who loves to brag on God. She works fulltime with Cec as his manager, personal assistant, and biggest fan. Cec is a veteran author who has written or co-written more than 125 published books, including the bestsellers 90 Minutes in Heaven (with Don Piper) and Gifted Hands (with Dr. Ben Carson). His books have sold in the millions and have brought hope and encouragement to countless readers around the world. Cec and Twilas’ second co-authored book, Heavenly Company: Entertaining Angels Unaware (Guideposts Books), released in August 2012.


Margie's Comments: As someone who has been a caregiver, I am very glad to see this latest book from Cec and Twila. Because You Care: Spiritual Encouragement for Caregivers is truly a book of encouragement. The authors don't gloss over the difficulties, the frustrations, or the feeling that what we do isn't good enough. But they do give real-life experiences and advice and encouragement to give strength to other caregivers. So much in this book resonated with me—the Scripture verses, the stories of their struggles and victories, and the prayers—I wish the book had been around when I was caring for my mother. If you are a caregiver, or know one who is, get a hold of a copy of Because You Care. You'll be glad you did.

Thanks to Kathy Willis at Kathy Carlton Willis Communications for providing me with a free copy of the book in exchange for posting this information and a review.