Refilling the Reservoirs - by Brenda Bos (Paperback)

About the Book

Life as a caregiver is hard. There are no easy answers, and hope can feel elusive. Bos, a Lutheran pastor and a fellow caregiver, shares a spiritually grounded message of solidarity steeped in the conviction that God meets us in the hard places--even when it's difficult to see beyond our pain.

Book Synopsis

Life as a caregiver is hard. There are no easy answers, and hope can feel elusive. At their best, medical care providers, government support agencies, schools, and legal advisors may effectively meet concrete needs. But who cares for the caregiver's soul?

Bos, a Lutheran pastor and a fellow caregiver, shares a spiritually grounded message of solidarity steeped in the conviction that God meets us in the hard places--even when it's difficult to see beyond our pain. Her deeply empathetic reflections remind us that it's okay to feel emotions ranging from grief to anger to searing loss. It's even okay to hope. Amid the loss of identity, the sense of chaos, and the double-edged knowledge of good and evil that comes with caregiving, we can lean into the God who is "unknowable, but trustworthy. Consistent and dynamic. Just like us. Just like life."

And in those moments when we cannot believe? Bos reminds us "there are thousands of others--millions, if you count the communion of saints who have gone before us--who will believe on your behalf until you are able to experience God's closeness again." Bos offers readers the gifts of humor, solidarity, and faith rooted in the lived experiences of caregivers from all walks of life.

Review Quotes

A wise and playful guide to living well in the midst of caring for others. Forging insight from her own experiences as pastor, mother, spouse, and human, Brenda Bos invites us to experience caregiving as a spiritual journey that can shape us into healthier, less exhausted, more vibrant versions of ourselves. Written with humor, candor, and humility, Refilling the Reservoirs offers much-needed support and strategies for sustaining ourselves. Reading it is like relaxing over coffee with a smart, caring, honest friend who always has our best interests in mind. --Duane R. Bidwell, author of After the Worst Day Ever: What Sick Kids Know about Sustaining Hope in Chronic Illness

With a measure of humor and a full dose of honesty, Brenda Bos invites weary caregivers into brave spaces for some serious reflection. Readers will appreciate the conversational tone and relatable stories. Bos's earnest care for those readers is felt from the first page to the last. --Shauna Hannan, professor of preaching, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary; author of The Peoples' Sermon Preaching as a Ministry of the Whole Congregation and coauthor of Scripting a Sermon: Using the Wisdom of Filmmaking for Impactful Preaching

How do we lean into faith, into God, to help us navigate and embrace the chaos, see the beauty in the struggle, and open our hearts toward healing? In this transformative experience, Brenda Bos takes her readers on a journey of deep inner reflection toward hope, restoration, and freedom. Bos's willingness to be vulnerable--to share her heart, mind, and life experiences--is transformative. Thank you, Brenda Bos, for showing your readers that we are not alone and there is hope. --Jill Mattinson-Cruz, adoption program supervisor