This book was a long time coming in devoting itself to the spiritual, emotional and practical needs of care givers.Care giving can be an exhausting enterprise which robs a person of their spiritual, physical and emotional life. Well meaning people give their sympathy to the one who is sick but all to often the one giving the care is ignored or taken for granted. Cecil Murphey, an ordained minister and one who also was a care giver gives a wake up call to caregivers and the church as he chronicles the issues and challenges one must face when they chose to care. We are taken through the realm of practical matters concerning care giving, problems that occur in an intergenerational household, being able to share your feelings and finally dealing with the issue of death.
Simplistic answers are not given in this text. Those who chose to care struggle and with that struggle with God's help they are able to make it through the process. Share with the caretakers who reveal their innermost thoughts and reveal their faith in struggling with a difficult situation in caring for a family member. Cecil Murphey presents us with concrete stories of those who are going through the situation. Following the story is a scripture text that pertains to the situation and is followed by a brief prayer.
I found this book strengthening for me in my faith as a care taker and saw myself in many of the people. My Parents, My Children will speak to your heart as it did mine. I highly recommend this text for churches with ministries to the shut-in and sick and support groups in which you have caretakers both professional as well as family members. For the first time a book is out to give caretakers spiritual first aide. By all means use it.
