A couple of weeks ago we got on the C-train. Yes, we both had COVID, after three years of steering clear, we both ended up with it. Being sick is just half of the battle as a caregiver. With the fatigue of being sick and trying to push through that to take care of Chris, I just didn't have the energy to do any work. My mind was scattered and uncooperative. I ended up missing two weeks of work. This morning, one of the clients I thought I had lost sent me an assignment. It's a low-paying client, but I was so happy to see the assignment come through on my task app! I began to thank God for providing for us. I started thinking about the importance of celebrating the small victories we have each day.
It's easy to get swept away with the tasks and responsibilities of caregiving. It's just as easy to be overwhelmed, and many caregivers deal with depression. We can wrestle with a number of negative emotions. When I began to thank God for this small victory, I realized how important it is to find areas to celebrate. It's essential to our mental health, which is something we don't talk about enough in our society.
I started trying to find scriptures that might help support this idea. The one example I thought of was when the crowd had followed Jesus out into a remote place. there were at least 5000 people there needing sustenance. The disciples scoured the crowd to find something, anything edible. They found a measly two fish and five loaves of bread. (Mark 6:38) After Jesus gave thanks, He ordered the disciples to begin to distribute the fish and bread. Mark's account goes on to say that the fish and bread were distributed among the people, and they all ate and were satisfied. (v.42) As a matter of fact, they even had 12 baskets of consumable leftovers!
It's safe to say that celebrating the small things, even if they don't seem to be enough, is one of the keys to living victoriously, even in difficulty. As I continue to work through my days, I intentionally look for things to celebrate. It makes such a difference in my demeanor and attitude. Gratitude is often underrated, especially when it comes to how much it changes our emotional trajectory.
Today, I will purposefully look for things to celebrate - large or small. My focus will be to find things to thank God for as I wait on Him to provide. I'll meditate on His presence, which never leaves me. I'll turn my thoughts to how He watches over us and cares for even the small stuff. And I will trust Him for one more day. Will you join me?
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