I was sitting with my dad one day, showing him old photos of his childhood. Then he saw that one photo that always makes him smile.
“This one’s my favorite photo, do you know why?” he says with eyes so eager to tell me.
I’ve heard this story a hundred times, but I always let him tell me again and again because I know it brings him so much joy to tell me.
In a choir loft filled with adults, you see this young man, to the left, standing tall and with the serious gaze of a grown man. You almost wonder if this young man just snuck his way up there.
Every time he tells this story of how he was the smallest and youngest choir member, I try my best to let him feel that I am hearing it for the first time.
My dad was diagnosed with vascular dementia nearly two years ago. My family and I have been going through many levels of change recently, and I know we’re not alone. Research shows that dementia affects over 6 million Americans, with projections indicating that this number could double by 2060 due to the aging population.
A Podcast Episode for the Sandwich Generation
And so, when we were preparing for Season 3 of the Making Changes podcast, I knew this was a topic that I wanted us to cover to help families like ours, who are dealing with the drastic changes that come with caring for aging parents.
Thankfully, Bernie and her husband, Jerry, were more than willing to share their real-life faith stories when it came to caring for her aging dad, after her mom passed away. For five years, they both cared for her dad as he got physically weaker and slowly also slipped into dementia. In the episode “Purpose in Pain: the Sandwich Generation,” they were very honest about the toll it took on their marriage and the steps they took to save it.
When Listeners Feel Seen: Cat’s Story
Once the podcast came out, Bernie and I both received a direct message on social media from Cat, who told us the impact this episode had on her.
“I watched your podcast and I never felt so seen…I’ve been going through my own silent battle, caring for my mom. It’s been over a decade already. I’ve always felt so alone, especially inside the church, because I did not know anyone, especially my age ( I am only 35), going through caregiving as me.
As I see my friends grow and mature to become parents, I grow and mature in a different trajectory, being my parents’ caregiver. I cried my heart out and even found words and emotions I had been feeling, but couldn’t find the right words to say…I’m so happy to watch the video and even hear your husband’s perspective, as I also wonder what my husband feels. I just wanted to reach out to thank you for speaking your truth that resonated so much with me. I do want to meet you one day and just give you a hug.”
Cat says that she’s joined other support groups for caring for aging parents, but Making Changes hit her so deeply because it came from the same place of shared faith. She tells us that she was actually with her mom at her facility, lying in bed with her as she listened to the part in the podcast where Bernie and I talked about the moment we learn to accept what God has given us, we actually lessen our suffering.
As she lay in bed with her mom, with her earbuds on, looking up, she said out loud, “I accept! I accept.” Uttering those words lightened the load of feelings of guilt, sadness, and frustration off her chest that she had been carrying for over a decade.
After a few months of messaging each other back and forth, the three of us got together for dinner in person. We laughed, we cried, and we all had one thing in common…we are three daughters who would do anything for our parents to let them feel loved and cared for.
Cat is only one of many listeners whose stories of Christian transformation we’ve heard through Making Changes podcast reviews.
Transformation Through Gratitude
Sometimes the transformation comes in the form of being reminded of what’s already in front of you. One of my favorite lines comes from Brother Bernard Daos’ episode, where he said, “Sometimes, things taken for granted can easily be taken away.”
It was beautiful to get messages like this from Sarlea, who said that Bro Bernard’s episode: “Stay Close to God, Lessons from Dad” talking about his dad, who was a doctor by profession but a servant of God for life, reminded her of what we all try to be.
“Despite being a doctor: someone with access to status, material things, and influence, he remained deeply grounded. The more God lifted him, the more humble he became, and the more he sacrificed for God. He always acknowledged that everything he had was from God, and he chose to draw even closer to Him. His life is the best example that we all want to emulate.”
Sarlea said she listened to this episode twice. Once, to prepare for the Anniversary Thanksgiving to help her spiritually prepare, and the second was with her family in the car on a long drive.
“This episode covered so much: staying close to God, parenting, ministry, blessings, and more. In a world full of distractions, it reminded us to stay grounded and always turn to God. It’s one you can listen to over and over again because each time, it reminds you of what truly matters: faith, humility, family, and most importantly, our relationship with God.”
Hearing About Their Journey of Faith Teaches Us About Ours
With every episode, it is always our prayer that it nourishes souls and strengthens faith. I had no idea that the episode that hit close to home for me would have the same effect and impact on people I’ve never met or have never met the one I interviewed.
The episode with my former neighbor, turned sister in the faith, Kim, was an episode that we could not have planned at all. But the heavens made a way for it to happen, and the interview just fell into place. This was an episode 17 years in the making, and God couldn’t have picked a better time than now for this story to be told.
Having been born and raised in the Church, walking alongside Kim in her journey through Bible studies and eventually to baptism, opened my eyes to the beauty of being part of the Church. And yes, she reminded me how blessed I was to have never had to experience darkness to appreciate the beauty of the light.
Kim’s episode: “Finding God Was Just the Beginning” also opened many of our listeners’ and viewers’ eyes to what they’ve had all along – the calling within the true Church.
Nicole says,
“The Kim episode was everything I hoped it would be and more. I love that you opened up about how seeing the Church through her eyes allowed you to see how much you had taken for granted or accepted as normal as a minister’s kid and as someone who was offered. I love that (Kim) is an example of someone who didn’t think it was ‘too late’ to take an office.”
And for minsindy.inc, she left a review on Spotify and echoed the same sentiment, “Many times growing up in the Church or being in the Church for so long, we sometimes take for granted the everyday blessings that God gives us because of having access to all those blessings. These podcasts have made my worship services to God so much more personal, intentional, and so much more meaningful.”
The sisterhood we shared in this episode resonated with so many women just like Kristel.
“This is so far my favorite episode I have listened to this year. I don’t know the sister-friends personally, but I felt close and somewhat akin to them as I listened to their stories. I laughed, cried, and got inspired with them. You have inspired and made my heart so full.”
So who is listening to Making Changes?
We often wonder, who is listening to the Making Changes podcast? We may never know every single one of you listening. You may never even leave us a comment to tell us who you are (though we do wish you would!) But meeting some of the quiet listeners while we were in Texas for the US Choir Gathering reminds us that people are out there. You are out there.
So we thank you for bringing us along as you drive your long commutes, or when you go for a run or walk your dog, or when you’re hoping time will move fast as you do household chores.
Whatever task you’re doing as you listen, it’s time we know is yours, and you’re choosing to spend it with us.
For every minute or every hour that you’ve given to Making Changes, we hope it is a minute that uplifts you and brings you closer to God through every change in life.
Considering listening to Making Changes?
If you’ve heard about Making Changes but haven’t yet tuned into a single episode, we’re excited for you. You can listen to over 20 episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcast, incmedia.org, and the INC Media app.
Listened to everything, but want more? Stay tuned for a new season of Making Changes, and make sure to follow us on Instagram. Make sure to say hello! You can also rate us on Spotify or leave a review on Apple Podcasts. We’d love to hear from you.
