Finding Peace in Life's Storms

Hello, my valued listeners. It's Marlene Greenleaf here, and I want to welcome you to another episode of Living in Your Power. Today, I want to share something deeply personal and important because over the past few weeks, I've experienced some of the most challenging storms in my life. My husband recently underwent a kidney transplant October the fifth. And while we had high hopes for a smooth recovery, there have been some complications. And on top of that, I recently lost my father. It's been an emotional rollercoaster, one that has tested me. Yet through it all, I've found peace. And today, I want to talk about how we can navigate through life's storms, hold on to our peace, and prioritize our well-being, especially when we are caregivers. I want to share my journey and some important lessons I've learned along the way, and hopefully you will walk away feeling empowered to live in your power even through your own storms. The first thing I want to touch on is faith, because in the hardest of times It has been my faith that has kept me steady. When my husband was going through surgery and then when complications arose, as of today, he's back in the hospital again with a high heart rate, but I had to lean into prayer and into the promises of God. Then again, as I said, as if that wasn't enough, I had to say goodbye to my father who's in Trinidad. He was 91 years old and we had him cremated last Monday. In that moment of loss, it could have been easy for me to feel overwhelmed, but instead I found peace. That peace didn't come from the circumstances themselves. It came from knowing that God was with me every step of the way, even when things seemed out of control. Sometimes when life throws all it can at you, you've got to hold on to something greater than yourself. Faith anchors you when the winds of uncertainty are blowing in every direction. I realized that no matter what happens, There's a peace that surpasses understanding. And I want to encourage you, if you are going through a storm right now, whatever it is, I want you to lean into your faith and trust that God's plan is bigger, and through it all, you will come out stronger. I also want to talk to you about the people who surround you In tough times. There's nothing like a storm to reveal who your true friends are. I have been blessed to have so many of you offer your prayers, your support, and acts of kindness during this time. Some people who I thought were just acquaintances stepped up and showed love in ways I didn't expect. And then there were others I expected to be there. But they weren't, and that's okay. Storms have a way of shaking loose what doesn't need to be in your life anymore. It's a gift, even though it doesn't always feel like one. The lesson here is to cherish the ones who show up for you and don't waste energy on those who don't. Sometimes God's God uses these seasons to remove people from your life to make room for the right ones. Now let's talk about something that I've had to really learn during this season— self-care as a caregiver. When my husband was dealing with the complications after his kidney transplant, I found myself trying to do everything, be there for him, to manage the household, to keep everything in order. And while caring for him is absolutely a priority, I realized how easy it was to lose myself in the process. As a caregiver, it's so easy to pour every ounce of yourself into making sure your loved one is okay, but you have to remember to take care of yourself too. There were moments when I had to remind myself to take a breath, to get outside for a walk, to just rest. I mean, it's easy to feel guilty for taking time for yourself, but self-care isn't selfish. It's essential. If you don't take care of yourself, you won't be able to take care of anyone else. And I want to encourage you Especially my fellow caregivers, to prioritize your well-being. Find those small moments of peace in the chaos and hold on to them. For me, being able to get out every day and walk for at least 3— 2 to 3 miles or more, that has helped me along the way. That has helped me to find peace in this chaos. Walking outside, inhaling that fresh air, watching God's beauty around me— that has been my peace in this chaos. And that brings me to my next point: balancing the demands of work with your personal life. I mean, so often we put our jobs or our responsibilities before ourselves. Thinking that if we just work a little harder or push a little more, everything will be okay. But the truth is, dear listeners, sometimes you have to take a step back. The job will still be there, but your peace might not if you burn yourself out. For me, these past few weeks have been a reminder that work isn't everything. There will always be more deadlines, More emails, more meetings, but what good is all of that if you lose your peace in the process? If it ever gets to a point where your mental and emotional well-being are on the line, hey, it's okay to walk away. God will open up other doors, and sometimes he closes one door so he can give you the opportunity to step into something greater. Your peace is priceless, and no job or responsibility is worth sacrificing for it. So as I wrap up today's episode, I want to leave you with this: life's storms will come. They will test you. They will push you to your limits. But they don't have to take your peace. Hold on to your faith, surround yourself with true support, and never forget to take care of yourself, especially when you're the one taking care of others. And remember, the job will always be there, but your peace is something worth protecting. Trust that God will guide you, even if you need to walk away. I want to thank All of my supporters for your prayers and acts of kindness during this time. Your love has been a reminder of how blessed I am, even in the storm. So until next time, I want you to live boldly in your power today, and if it gets tough, just breathe and believe. Trust God. Thank you, Marleen. You still got the strength to rise. Continue to live in your power.