Episode 4 — Finding Joy Right Outside the Window

Learning to Notice the Ordinary Gifts We Almost Miss

What if the joy you're searching for isn't somewhere in the future, but is already right in front of you?

As a family caregiver, it can be easy to become so focused on appointments, medications, responsibilities, health concerns and the needs of the person you love that you stop noticing the small, beautiful moments happening around you.

In Episode 4 of Finding Joy in the Journey, Carole Leathem shares a simple but powerful invitation for overwhelmed and exhausted caregivers:

Look again.

Caregiving trains us to notice what needs attention. We notice the next appointment, the prescription that needs refilling, the change in someone's behavior, the phone call that needs to be made and the problem that needs to be solved.

But what if we could also train ourselves to notice joy?

A beautiful sunrise.

A cup of coffee in the quiet.

A text from a friend.

A favorite song.

A moment of laughter.

A peaceful view outside the window.

Even an alligator named Mariah Carey swimming through the backyard pond.

Joy doesn't have to be big to be real.

Isaiah 43:19 says:

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”

That question matters: Are we noticing?

In this episode, we're talking about becoming “joy detectives”—learning to intentionally look for God's goodness in ordinary moments without pretending that caregiving isn't difficult.

You'll discover how to practice gratitude during hard seasons, create small moments of caregiver self-care, slow down enough to notice what's good and begin finding joy without waiting for your circumstances to change.

Because finding joy in caregiving doesn't mean ignoring grief, stress, exhaustion or uncertainty.

It means refusing to let the hard things become the only things you see.

If you're a family caregiver, spousal caregiver, caregiver for an aging parent, or Christian caregiver struggling with stress, burnout or overwhelm, I hope this episode reminds you that you don't have to wait for life to become easier before you experience something beautiful.

Sometimes we need to stop asking:

“When will things get better?”

And start asking:

“Where is God showing me something good today?”

🎧 Episode 4 — Finding Joy Right Outside the Window: Learning to Notice the Ordinary Gifts We Almost Miss

Part of the eight-week Finding Joy in the Journey series from The Caretaker's Journey Podcast with Carole Leathem.

The Caretaker's Journey offers faith-based caregiver support, Christian encouragement, practical caregiving resources, Scripture and hope for people caring for someone they love.

This week's challenge: Become a joy detective. Look for one small thing each day that makes you smile, brings you peace or reminds you that God is near.

Connect with Carole:

Website - https://www.thecaretakersjourney.com/

To join the mailing list, go to the website and join the community

Email - carole@thecaretakersjourney.com

Social Media -

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carolesjourney/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/carolesjourney

Book - https://www.carolesjourney.com/book

#CaregiverSupport #ChristianCaregiver #FamilyCaregiver #CaregiverEncouragement #FindingJoy #CaregivingJourney #FaithInHardTimes #TheCaretakersJourney

Episode 3 — The Great Caregiver Circus

When You’re Juggling Way Too Much

Do you ever feel like caregiving has turned your life into a three-ring circus—and somehow you're expected to keep every ball in the air?

Doctor's appointments. Medications. Meals. Work. Family. Bills. Phone calls. Insurance. Paperwork. Household responsibilities. Someone else's needs and emotions.

And somewhere in the middle of all of it, you're supposed to remember to take care of yourself too.

In Episode 3 of Finding Joy in the Journey, Carole Leathem talks about the invisible load family caregivers carry and what happens when we begin believing that everything is our responsibility.

Caregiver overwhelm and burnout don't always happen because of one big crisis. Sometimes they happen slowly as we keep adding one more responsibility, one more appointment, one more request and one more thing we believe we should be able to handle.

But what if you weren't meant to carry all of it?

Jesus offers a beautiful invitation in Matthew 11:28:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Notice He doesn't say, “Finish everything first.”

He says, Come.

In this episode, we'll talk about recognizing the difference between what truly needs your attention and what can wait, releasing unrealistic expectations, asking for help, creating healthy caregiver boundaries and making room for rest and joy—even when caregiving is still demanding.

You'll also discover a simple way to look at everything you're juggling:

Which balls are glass—and which ones are rubber?

Some responsibilities truly cannot be dropped.

Others?

They'll bounce.

And learning the difference may be one of the most freeing things you can do as a caregiver.

If you're a family caregiver, spousal caregiver, caregiver for an aging parent, or simply someone who feels exhausted from carrying everyone else's needs, this episode is for you.

You don't have to do everything to love someone well.

You don't have to hold everything together.

And you don't have to wait until your responsibilities disappear to experience joy.

Some things genuinely need you. Not everything needs you.

🎧 Episode 3 — The Great Caregiver Circus: When You're Juggling Way Too Much

Part of the eight-week Finding Joy in the Journey series from The Caretaker's Journey Podcast with Carole Leathem.

The Caretaker's Journey offers faith-based caregiver support, practical caregiving encouragement, Scripture, hope and resources for people caring for someone they love.

Connect with Carole:

Website - https://www.thecaretakersjourney.com/

To join the mailing list, go to the website and join the community

Email - carole@thecaretakersjourney.com

Social Media -

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carolesjourney/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/carolesjourney

Book - https://www.carolesjourney.com/book

Episode 2: The Closet Full of Seasons

Learning to Recognize the Season You’re Actually In

What happens when the life you’re trying to live no longer fits the season you’re actually in?

Just like a closet full of clothes from different seasons, we can hold onto old routines, expectations, responsibilities—and even versions of ourselves—that simply don’t fit anymore. For family caregivers, recognizing that life has changed can be especially difficult.

In Week 2 of Finding Joy in the Journey, Carole Leathem explores what it means to recognize your current caregiving season, release expectations that no longer fit, and give yourself permission to need something different now.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us:

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”

Caregiving has seasons too. Some require more of your time and energy. Some bring grief and uncertainty. Others bring unexpected freedom, healing, growth and joy.

The problem comes when we keep trying to live according to the expectations of an old season.

Maybe you’re exhausted because you're trying to maintain the schedule you had before caregiving became more demanding. Maybe your relationships have changed. Maybe you've lost pieces of yourself along the way. Or perhaps you're entering a new season and aren't quite sure who you are without the responsibilities that once filled your days.

This conversation is about recognizing where you are now—without guilt—and asking God what He wants to do in this season.

We’ll talk about caregiver identity, changing expectations, letting go, caregiver burnout, faith during change, and finding joy in the life you’re living today.

Because sometimes the question isn't:

“How do I get my old life back?”

Maybe the better question is:

“God, what are You inviting me into now?”

Your season may have changed, but your story isn't over.

Different seasons require different things—and that's okay.

🎧 Episode 2 of Finding Joy in the Journey, an eight-week series from The Caretaker’s Journey Podcast with Carole Leathem.

The Caretaker’s Journey provides faith-based caregiver support, Christian encouragement, practical caregiving resources and hope for family caregivers navigating the unexpected seasons of life.

This week, ask yourself: What am I holding onto that belonged to another season?

Summary:

In this episode, Carole explores how recognizing and embracing the current season of life can lead to greater joy and peace. She shares practical tips on releasing what no longer fits and finding joy in the present moment.

Takeaways:

Joy lives in the present tense, not in the past or future.

Identify what no longer fits in your life and release it.

Adjust your expectations to match your current season.

Comparison can rob joy; focus on your unique season.

God is present in every season, offering grace and guidance.

Chapters:

00:00 Recognizing the season you're in

02:07 How old routines no longer fit

04:21 The importance of identifying your current season

10:14 Ecclesiastes on seasons of life

16:16 Releasing what no longer fits

22:39 Living joyfully in the present

28:04 A garden visualization for acceptance

32:14 Making room for what fits now

37:13 Carrying joy into your current season

Connect with Carole:

Website - https://www.thecaretakersjourney.com/

Email - carole@thecaretakersjourney.com

Social Media -

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carolesjourney/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/carolesjourney

Book - https://www.carolesjourney.com/book