Daily Devotions for Caregivers

Last week, I did a devotion called Hard Row . It was taken out of Mark 6. Jesus had sent the disciples across to the other side of the lake toward Bethesda. They ran into a strong wind. We focused on verse 48, which says Jesus saw: They were in serious trouble. They were rowing hard. They were struggling. If anyone can relate to those three, it's caregivers! But as we continue reading on in this chapter, there is another triplet that stands out.  Jesus saw the disciples and the difficulty they were in, and He came walking to them on the water. (He sure seemed to do that a lot!) What I found interesting was that Jesus said three things. It's all right. I am here. Don't be afraid. I am a number person (former math teacher), so it really stood out to me that He noticed three things and said three things. They were in serious trouble. It's all right. They were rowing hard. I am here. They were struggling. Don't be afraid. It was like for each emotion they were feeling, ...

Do you ever go through those patches when the difficulties of caregiving life just seem to get tougher? As if caregiving alone isn't enough to navigate, we still have some sort of "life" left to figure out, too. There are more members in most of our families than just us and our loved ones, right? We still have to figure out finances, doctor's visits, our own health, relationships (family and friends), emotions, church stuff... and the list could go on, or be shorter based on our unique circumstances. Then, we go through times when it feels like it's a fight to just breathe. But we don't get to take a breather. We have to push through with at least our caregiving tasks. No one's going to do it for us, and sometimes there's no one around to do it with us, either. There's no option but to suck it up and figure it out! So, we do. But digging out of an emotional tunnel day after day can take a toll. And that's where I was today. Tired. Double tired...

 Mark 6 is packed with things that make you scratch your head in wonder. Jesus feeds 5000 people with 7 loaves of bread and 2 fish, with the disciples giving Him a helping hand. They were part of the miracle. Verse 41 tells us that Jesus asked the Father to bless the food. In the natural, it was not enough. Once He prayed over the food, He began to break pieces off to give to the disciples, who distributed it to the crowd of hungry people. Even though they were an active part of this miracle, verse 52 says they still didn't get it because their hearts were hard and they didn't believe. What a harsh thing to say about the disciples who were following Jesus so closely. But I have no judgement because I know there are areas that I struggle with believing. But let's back up in this story just a little bit. Jesus sent the disciples across the lake toward Bethsaida, and He sent the people home. (v.45) He finally got away so He could spend some time in prayer. He must have spent a...

 Jesus provides us some insights on anxiety in Matthew 6:25-34. I've used this passage to calm my soul many times. When I hear birds singing outside my window, I think of verse 26. He takes care of the birds, so He takes care of me! The birds singing remind me of His watchful care over my soul, and as long as they are singing, He's still providing care! As I was reading this passage the other day, I stopped to meditate on verse 34. Jesus reminds us to not worry about tomorrow. He says that tomorrow will take care of itself. And I love that He says each day has enough trouble. If anyone understands that, it's the caregiver, for sure! We have enough on our plate for today, at least I do, anyway! Why would I want to borrow worries and trouble from tomorrow before anything has even happened?  As caregivers, the future can be troubling. We may worry about our loved one's declining health or increased need for care. Maybe it's a concern that as we age we won't be able...

 Scriptures tell us that Job was righteous. Job 2:10 says that even in his personal dark night of the soul  experience, he didn't sin with his mouth. The NLT (1996) says he said nothing wrong. But as I was looking back over his story, I saw something about Job that I hadn't seen before.  I recognized a progression  of his grief. What's important to note is that this progression was not a sin. Job remained righteous before God as he worked through his struggles. When his world came crashing in on him, Job's response was excellent. In the first chapter, we read the account of Job's absolute worst day ever! I can't even imagine, even though I've related a bit more to his emotional journey at different points in my life. But losing everything, literally, except his health in one day? Whew. All I can do is shake my head. But in Job 1:20, we read Job's response. Job showed his grief by tearing his robe and shaving his head. Then he bowed down and worshipped.  ...

It's so easy to feel like our circumstances rule our emotions. Personally, when my son is doing well, I handle things better. When he has a rough day, my day becomes rough. I'm the first to admit that everything in this household runs around him and his care, mostly because he is total care. I live my days walking on emotionally thin ice, praying nothing breaks.  I've even "bragged" before about being able to go from the mountain to the valley in less than 3 seconds! That's fast. LOL. But it happens. Paul had that opportunity, too, I assume. A quick run-through of 2 Corinthians 11 reveals that he was beaten, stoned, and left for dead, faced dangers on every side, was shipwrecked three times, and drifted out at sea for days. If anyone had an excuse to just give up and sit down, it would be Paul.  As caregivers, we can understand what it is like to have our worlds stripped away. We all face it on some level. Paul could have felt sorry for himself. He could have ...