What About...

Me and my aunt polly

Caregiving can generate a lot of questions. They usually start with "why" and get deeper and wider as we progress through the stages of caregiving. My questions grew as I found myself deeper and deeper in the caregiver's cave. Eventually, we may even ask where is God?. Early on I found my theology and idealogy on faith were erroneous. God patiently worked with me to reshape both and deepen my trust in Him. I love that about God!

He doesn't leave us when things get tough. He remains when we ask the hard questions. God doesn't avoid us like He's not sure how to deal with our pain or grief. He's always got just what we need. It's up to us to decide to look for it.

This morning, I was thinking about Jonah a lot. He deliberately disobeyed God. He even got frustrated with God and voiced how he was feeling - even though it was certainly not balanced out with God's peace, love, or mercy. God didn't strike Jonah dead, and fortunately, He hasn't stricken me down because of my questions either.

I love the truth that God just continues to walk with us, no matter how rocky, rough, or jagged the caregiving pathway becomes. We could probably sit down over a cup of coffee and list a LOT of "what abouts." It might go something like this:

  • What about when our loved ones are sick?
  • What about when finances are super short?
  • What about when our emotions have shorted out and fried?
  • What about when we feel alone and isolated?
  • What about when our friends leave us?
  • What about when society ignores us?
I'm sure you can add a lot of "what about" questions of your own! But God has every single one of them covered. Yes and amen! There isn't one single "what about" that He can't handle. There isn't one that God is afraid of. He can take all of our what-abouts and apply His peace, mercy, and all-sufficient grace to it.

Today, I'll remind myself that God is in my whole caregiving situation. He won't avoid being present with me today because of my surroundings or circumstances. My meditations will be on how His mercy, grace, and peace are enough to cover me and keep me today. I'll turn my thoughts to His watching eye and how nothing escapes His notice, not even the smallest wince of my soul. I can trust Him for one more day. Will you join me?


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New Release! Peace Out!

Cover of Peace Out! devotional



I just released the 31-day devotional Peace Out! It's in the Bible. Each day's scripture has something to do with peace - and how we can continue to enjoy it and walk in it - no matter what! It's available on Kindle and print in my Amazon bookstore and in printable ebook form on my new website Dove's Fire Publications. 






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Affirmations for Caregivers

Cover of Affirmations for Caregivers
I wrote Affirmations 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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