Not Lost

The caregiving journey can often feel like a crazy ride that never ends. Just about the time you get used to being up - the downhill comes. You enjoy feelings of lightlessness and maybe even throw your hands up and enjoy the fastest part of the ride. Then there's a curve. And another curve, before starting another slow creep to the top. And the cycle continues. Day after day. Week after week. Year after year. It can be a wild ride with unexpected drops, turns, and bumps. But we are certainly not lost, even though it can feel like it sometimes.

While it is true that we never know what kind of twists and turns a day may take, we can be sure God is in the mix. In Psalm 31:14-15a (my favorite psalm!!), David said, but I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, "You are my God!" My future is in your hands. (NLT) Isn't that what each caregiving day comes down to? Just trusting Him with our pasts, our right nows, and our future. They can all be pretty foggy at times.

There are days when we can't easily navigate what's right in front of us, but we are not lost. We are still in His hands. He will not bail on us because the journey got too difficult, too rocky, too confusing, or too emotional. We are not lost. God knows right where we are - Psalm 139 reminds us that He is intimately acquainted with all our ways. He's up close and personal when the rest of the world walks away. 

The best part to me is that He doesn't throw us away, no matter what! People may stick around unless we get emotional. What's not to get emotional about? Why is that not allowed? We are dealing with some level of constant loss. We are providing care and making decisions for another whole person. It can get heavy. People don't get it. They just want us to go back to "normal." But we are not lost - God is right smack dab in the middle of our new normal. He's equipping us. He's giving us grace and dishing up new mercies for us every morning. He's got us right here in the middle of the battle - we are not lost, and we won't ever be lost to Him.

Today, I'll remind myself that God is in my now - no matter what that looks like. He won't pack up and leave if it's the best caregiving day ever, or if it all falls apart around me. I love that about Him. He is truly present, isn't that all we need from Him, and from others, too? When I feel lost today, I'll turn my thoughts to His ever-abiding presence and remind myself that He literally can't go anywhere - since He is already everywhere! No matter what twists and turns this day brings - He's already in my future, He didn't dump me because of my past! Since He is in my right here, right now - I will trust Him for one more day. Will you join me?

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Check out 31 Days in Psalm 31! 

If anyone knows what it's like to spend 31 days in the cave with God - it's the caregiver! :-) My 31-day devotional is taken from Psalm 31 when David was in the cave hiding from Saul. You can get a print or kindle copy from my Amazon Bookshelf, or you can order the ebook from the Dove's Fire Ministries Bookstore.