Scattered But Secure

the guys carrying Chris down the stairs in his chair

 I'm starting to think that there are few things as emotionally scattering as caregiving. I'm into the middle of year 15, but I'm still picking up pieces of my fractured heart. Living grief is no joke! 

In John 10, Jesus tells His listeners (Pharisees, disciples, and the undecided) two times that He is the Good Shepherd. (verses 11 and 14) He begins explaining that when the wolf attacks, the one who is hired to watch the sheep will run away leaving the sheep vulnerable to attack. In verse 12 it says the hireling leaves because the sheep are not his. He's not invested in the sheep emotionally, financially, or even physically. But the good shepherd stays to fight off the attacker because the sheep are His.

I love that. God doesn't pack up and leave us when things get crazy. He doesn't distance Himself from our pain (like most people do). And He will not leave us to be scattered by our enemies. Even though we can feel scattered emotionally, mentally, and physically - He remains our Shepherd - the One who keeps watch over our souls. 

If we take a few minutes to think about some of the times God just showed up in the Bible, we'll find a few spots where He showed up just in time. And usually, that appearance was when someone was facing some sort of crisis.

The first one that comes to my mind is Hagar. God actually showed up to rescue her soul twice! (Genesis 16 and 21) He didn't tell her to get herself together first. And He certainly didn't remind her that she'd gotten herself into quite the predicament. He just showed up and Shepherded her.

The second one that comes to mind is Gideon. (Judges 6) God saw the mighty warrior in Gideon when others saw him crouched and hiding from the enemy. What's amazing about this story is that God was so patient with Gideon's hesitancy to trust. God didn't say, okay, never mind - my bad. He worked with who Gideon was to turn him into what HE saw Gideon be. Gideon wasn't in a good situation.

 I have to trust that God will continue to work on me even when I feel weak. Even when I feel lost. Even when I feel inadequate. God keeps showing up. My silliness doesn't change His picture of me. I'm so thankful for that!

Today, I will just keep trusting God. My thoughts will be on how He will keep pressing in to care for this little sheep. He'll keep working His glory in and through my messed up life. I can trust that He'll make a beautiful picture out of this mess - and one that brings glory to Him. I will trust the Shepherd of my soul to carry me through today. And I will follow Him. Will you join me?


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31 Days in Psalm 31

cover of 31 Days in Psalm 31

David was open and honest about his feelings and he tended to give everything to God, even when he was hiding in the back of a cave. What's it like to spend time in the back of a cave with God? David gives us a glimpse in Psalm 31 and that's where this devotional is taken from. Grab a paper copy or a Kindle copy from Amazon!




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Affirmations for Caregivers

Cover of Affirmations for Caregivers
I wrote Affirmations for CaregiversAffirmations for Caregivers because it was what I needed to hear! This 31-day journal includes 31 scripturally based affirmations. Each day, the affirmation is followed by a short writing prompt and a verse or two to read. Here is an example from Day 16:

Day 16: I Am Embraced
Affirmation: I will find grace to help me in my time of need today. I will bring my cares, concerns, weaknesses, and needs to the throne of grace. I have an open invitation. God will meet me there with the grace I need for today. He is not afraid of my weaknesses, He embraces them and strengthens me by His grace.

                                Write an invitation to God inviting Him into your day. Then, write an invitation
                                from God inviting you to trust His strength and grace.

                            Read Hebrews 4:14-16

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