[Biblemat] B: Book Reviewed & Recommended

[Warren Berkley]

Can Grief Be A Blessing?
  A New Book by Margaret E. Head
   
  - Review by Warren E. Berkley -
   
  We cannot claim any exemption from suffering, regardless of who we are, what we have, or how deep our faith. Often, the ravages of hardship occur unexpectedly. “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and change happen to them all,” (Eccl. 9:11). 
   
  This means, there will always be pain and suffering on the earth. So there will always need to be special people who are able to respond, who want to respond and who will train others in the skills of being wise caregivers.
   
  It has been my privilege for over thirty years, to know an exemplary caregiver, who finds her strength from God, her power in the Christ, and her guidance in the writings given by the Holy Spirit. She has applied the divine to the human in a beautiful manner, and now shares that wisdom with us.
   
  Margaret E. Head has favored her readers with another book, Can Grief Be A Blessing? This is not a sad story with familiar episodes of tragedy reported to create pity. You will find in her journal of care-giving, a very pleasant demonstration of how experience and skill can combine with compassion and knowledge, to well supply what suffering people and their families need. 
   
  Reading her book, we are able to go alongside her, to the beds, hospitals, homes and cemeteries of those who were graced with her care. We become acquainted with her cheer, her prayerful approach, her capacity to know what to do and say, and her own pain and loss.
   
  Chapter 19 is one of the most valuable resources IÂ’ve ever found, from the experience of a wise caregiver to the novices trying to find their way. She shares a list of guidelines about timing visits, respecting boundaries, listening, taking food, reading to patients, walking with caregivers, and even a section on funeral planning. 
   
  IÂ’m encouraging you to get this book, get a few copies, share them and use them to polish your skill and mature in your discipline of serving the needs of others.
   
  To obtain this book, at $10 plus $3 shipping and handling, send check or money order payable to:
   
  Margaret Head
  PO Box 775
  Alpharetta, GA 30009-0775
  email: maggieks126 at earthlink.net
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