Peter Rosenberger - Hope for the Caregiver: Encouraging Words to Strengthen Your Spirit

Written by one who has been there and done that, Peter Rosenberger offers caregivers practical advice for everyday living, perspective on their role and relationships, and hope grounded in Christian faith and fellowship. This book is an important resource for caregiversand for those who care for the caregivers.

Kenneth L. Farmer, Jr., MD
Major General, US Army (Retired),
Former Commanding General, Walter Reed Army Medical Center
and North Atlantic Regional Medical Command

None of us ever plan to be in a position like Peter, but it happens. This book provides help and sign posts for the caregiver! When I was helping to care for a stroke-ridden father for many years, I wish I had had this book to lean upon!

Joe Bonsall, The Oak Ridge Boys

Not only is this a great tool for providing care for another, its spiritual principles are applicable to any situation that challenges us in life. I LOVE the solution of GPS (Grace, Purpose, Stewardship) for navigating the FOG (Fear, Obligation, Guilt) that caregivers experience.

Elizabeth Moss, LPN
CEO, Caregivers By Wholecare

Peter Rosenberger is absolutely amazing. A true leader by example. Hear what he has to say and you will understand why he is the most qualified person to teach you how to thrive as a caregiver.

David Asarnow, CEO Business Oxygen, Inc.

In a world hung up on trying to make sense out of hard times, Peter drives the point home that We dont have to understandGod understands, and thats enough. He is enoughHe is always enough. Peter leads readers through such painful situations with humor and practical helpand in the process, our faith is strengthened. This is THE book for caregivers, written by one with scars and immense credibility.

Jeff Foxworthy

Peter has walked the walk as a caregiver and with humility has birthed, I believe, a divinely inspired perspective for a new generation of caregivers. As a caregiver myself, I have experienced the isolation component that Peter addresses in this book. As you read ahead, you will meet an understanding friend who will introduce you to ways that can help you rise above your circumstances.

Marianne Clarke, EdD, Caregiver

Peter is authentic in his understanding and awareness when he writes about caregivinghe knows the journey intimately. He is also theologically wise in the midst when he says we are stewards not owners.

Keith G. Meador, MD, ThM, MPH
Professor of Psychiatry and Health Policy
Director, Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society
Associate Dean, Student Health and Wellness
Vanderbilt University

HOPE FOR THE CAREGIVER

Copyright 2014 by Peter Rosenberger. All rights reserved.

ISBN 978-1-61795-382-8

Published by Worthy Inspired, a division of Worthy Media, Inc.,
134 Franklin Road, Suite 200, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027.

Scripture references marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version

Scripture references marked NKJV are from the Holy Bible, New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.

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Scripture references marked HCSB are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible Copyright 1999, 2000, 2001 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

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Scripture references marked NLT are from the Holy Bible. New Living Translation. Copyright 1996 Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.

Scripture references marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2011. The ESV text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

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Cover Design by Kim Russell / Wahoo Designs
Page Layout by Bart Dawson

Printed in the United States of America

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HOPE FOR THE CAREGIVER

ENCOURAGING WORDS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR SPIRIT

PETER ROSENBERGER

DEDICATION

Solus Christus

The ultimate caregiver of a wounded bride.

FOREWORD

by Ken Tada

M illions of caregivers are out there plodding through mundane routines with hardly the strength to look up, let alone read a book. So why read this one? Especially a book that reminds them of their never-altering, daily responsibilities?

Count me in that group. For more than thirty-two years of marriage, I have been helping my wife who is a quadriplegic. Sure, several of Jonis friends help, but the main job falls on me, her husband. So of all the books I might read in my free time, why read this one?

Because I need to. I was convinced of that after reading only the first chapter. Hope for the Caregiver is not a fancy title, but it delivers on its promise. You and I need hope that we can make it, hope that we wont throw in the towel or walk away from our wedding vows. We need to know why we do this crazy 24/7 routine, why we take thirty minutes to order four different kinds of pills over the phone, making sure the pharmacist gets it right. We need to know how much that counts in the long run. Finally, we need to know that a greater source of strength is waiting to pour Himself into our weary minds, hearts, and bodies.

My wife and I are involved in Joni and Friends, a worldwide ministry that serves special-needs families in the love of Jesus. We meet so many couples who tell us they simply couldnt make it without their faith in God. But often, in the middle of the night when you get up to turn your spouse, it can feel like Hes not there. Well, He is. And sometimes we need to be reminded that God is the source of our strength.

Besides, I like listening to Peter Rosenberger. Joni and I have known Peter and his wife Gracie for many years. I wont go into the details about her disability (or I should say, disabilities), but we dont hold a candle to the challenges the Rosenbergers face. Yes, caring for my quadriplegic wife has its difficultiesespecially adding her chronic pain to the mixbut our circumstances have never seemed as grim as Peters and Gracies. But thats for him to tell in this book.

Plus, Hope for the Caregiver is easy to read. The chapters are short, and you can, with no trouble, read a few pages and then come back to it after running to the drugstore. Peter has taken great pains to make everything practical. Are your medical bills piling up? Is your insurance not covering everything it should? Are you wondering if you should switch doctors? Peters got helpful advice for youstuff you can really do something about.

I felt like Peter was speaking to me in this book. Sometimes it helps knowing that youre not alone, that others have charted the confusing labyrinth of medical and family issues. It helps to know that youre not the only one who would really rather go out to the backyard and enjoy a cigar than spend the evening ferreting through EOBs.