"Caregiving is the holy act of the literal laying of hands on another to help and to heal. It requires strength, courage, and commitment to serve another intimately with dignity, respect, and love. The giving of such care, however, gives the one who cares a glimpse into God's priceless kenotic gift to humanity. This beautiful and important devotional based on Nouwen's magnanimous wisdom offers encouragement to those entrusted with caregiving by reminding them that what they are doing plants roots in the eternal—even in the hidden or lonely recesses of servitude, caregivers are seen, they matter, and they are upheld by the right hand of God!" — Carolyn Weber, caregiver, professor of literature, and author of Surprised by Oxford

Henri Nouwen's timeless wisdom reminds us once again of the transformation that love brings, both when we allow ourselves to give love with abandon and when we allow ourselves to receive love.

Caregivingtoo often is reduced to a list of tasks—doing the things that another individual cannot do independently. In six weeks of daily devotions inspired by the words of Henri Nouwen and intertwined with Scripture and prayer, Hope for Caregivers summons us away from our lists for a few moments each day and draws us to a fresh framework for the experience of giving care.



Susan Martins Miller has been a publishing professional for over thirty years, working as an author, editor, collaborator, writing coach, and workshop presenter. Her body of work includes fiction and nonfiction for both children and adults, churchresources, devotionals, and magazines. She holds a master's degree in biblical studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and she lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with her husband and nearby adult children.







Henri Nouwen's life and writings on the spiritual life continue to touch millions of people in dozens of languages. Henri was born in the Netherlands in 1932 and was drawn to the priesthood in the Catholic Church at a young age. After being ordained in 1957, he undertook further studies in psychology in the United States. Nouwen corresponded regularly in English, Dutch, German, French, and Spanish with hundreds of friends and reached out to thousands through his many lectures and retreats. Since his death in 1996, ever-increasing numbers of readers, writers, teachers, and seekers have been guided by his literary legacy.



Introduction



Week 1: The Eyes of Pain

Week 2: Our Greatest Gift

Week 3: An Invitation to Joy

Week 4: A Prayer for Caring

Week 5: The Voice of Love

Week 6: Rise to New Life



Notes

Permissions

Books by Henri J. M. Nouwen