He Knows When We Stop By

There's not really any easy days for caregivers, I don't think; but some days are more difficult than others. It was difficult for me to adjust to the new normals when I first stepped into the role and it eventually became second nature, but boy did it take awhile. And that still doesn't mean it's easy.

One thing that keeps me going every day is knowing I have a place to hide if I need it. If I start feeling overwhelmed (more so than usual), or like I can't handle it any more, or just get tired - there's a place I can go.

Nahum 1:7 offers me great comfort in saying: The Lord is good, He is a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who take refuge in Him. There are three very distinct and encouraging points in this verse and for me each truth holds a deep meaning and gives me strength.

God is Good. I love this phrase even though I feel like it's misused a lot. Usually, we hear it when a person gets what they want. They get a new car: God is good. After a promotion or raise at work: God is good. They were sick and feel better: God is good. What's interesting to me is I don't hear it, or say it myself, when something doesn't go my way. We never hear, my car broke down, God is good. Or something like I got an unfavorable report from the doctor, God is good. It seems to be used only when something went our way. But I propose that God is always good - His goodness does not change with the winds of our situations. I actually wrote a whole blog post about it on my other blog From the Furnace. The fact that He is good - even when life is not - helps me stay grounded because He doesn't change with my situation - He's still good - and He's still God.

He is a Stronghold in the day of Trouble. Another favorite of mine is Psalm 46:1 which says God is our refuge and strength a very present help in time of need. He is a safe place to run to when life throws us a curve ball. His door is always open to us and He anxiously awaits our arrival so He can pour His peace into our hearts. He is my hiding place - my refuge when it all gets too big for me to carry. I love the fact that I can go running to Him anytime of any day - and you know what? I always found Him waiting for me. Now that's comfort.

He knows those who take refuge in Him. Not only does He wait for our arrival - He knows us. He knew we were coming, which is comforting. But He went past that and knows us. He knows what makes us tick, what sets us over the edge, what gives us peace. Psalm 139 is a great passage that talks about how He knows us inside and out; and He's still not scared to hang out with us! :-)
Actually He greatly anticipates our arrival and welcomes us with open arms. He knows those of us who take refuge in Him.

Today I will meditate on how He knows me - and still likes me! My thoughtss will be on how He is good all the time, I can run to Him all the time, and He knows me all the time. Knowing any one of these is comforting - but getting a grasp of all three of them is strengthening. I will focus my thoughts on His goodness which surrounds and protects my heart as I seek Him for refuge.Will you join me?

Ups and Downs

Maybe it's just "that time of year" for me, but I've struggled a lot the last few weeks. I still affectionately call it the caregiver's fog. Lol. Okay, maybe it's not-so-affectionately. I know I can share my true feelings with you guys because you get it. You understand the day-to-day grind of caregiving. The military has a saying about there being no easy day. I think we live in that reality. It's just not easy caring for another whole person, is it? Caregiving presents many difficulties. We can find ourselves alone, so very alone on this journey. It doesn't just go away. We don't just work through it. It seems to go on and on. There are lots of ups and downs - and that can be about every 90 seconds some days. Right? (smile!) As I've been working through this emotional maze the last few days, I turned my thoughts to Daniel. Let's take a realistic look at his circumstances because as we read his story in the Bible, we tend to glamorize i

Seasons Are Temporary

This morning, I found myself reading in Isaiah 28. I ended up there because I was looking for something in particular, and even though I didn't find what I was looking for, I found what I needed. God's so cool like that, isn't He? My eyes first fell on verse 29, which says in the NKJ: This also comes from the Lord of hosts, Who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance. I rolled that over in my mind and heart a few times and spent a few minutes thinking about how I'd seen His counsel in action in my own life. We've all had those times when we weren't sure what to do or where to go, and suddenly, an idea drops into our thoughts. There are many ways He provides direction for us. He may direct our steps through a passage of scripture, a trusted spiritual leader such as a pastor, a YouTube teacher, and maybe even a lowly blog writer. Lol. No matter how He chooses to deliver His counsel, it comes - but we must listen. After I had rolled these thoughts and t

The Practical Side of Caregiving

This week, I've been reading the book of Acts. I am enjoying the journey of the early church. Can you imagine what it would be like if your church saw 5000 people saved in a day? Mass chaos would ensue as leadership tried to figure out how to serve that many people! It'd be great and difficult at the same time - kind of like caregiving. Lol. But yesterday, I got stuck in Acts 9 thinking about a practical caregiving issue. In verse 32, we read that Peter was traveling around and encouraging all the new believers. He came to the town of Lydda. Verse 33 says in the NLT, There he (Peter) met a man named Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. Now, the next verses talk about how Peter proclaimed healing, and the man just got up! That's so amazing. But my brain got stuck on some of the practical parts. Aeneas was paralyzed and bedridden. My mind compared the situation to my son, of course, even though he's not "paralyzed." I started wondering

Daily Devotions for Caregivers

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