Threads of Grace

 I've heard it said that hindsight is 20/20. That's because when we look back at things we can see them more clearly. Why is that? Because when we are in a situation, we can't always see well, our feelings and emotions are all involved and we are probably in survival mode. As caregivers, we often live in survival mode with our focus being to just get through the day and whatever it may bring.

But there are times of reflection. I spend those times thinking about how far along this caregiving journey we've come. I remember sitting in hospitals and nursing homes and trying to "see" what the future might look like. Of course, I had no idea. But now, after 15+ years, I can look back and see how far we've come. 

As I reflect, I see God's hand in so many things. I realize He's never left me. All those situations that I thought for sure there wasn't a way out of - now, I can see there was. We've made it this far trusting Him. He is going to be in our tomorrow and He is in our today - just as much as we can see Him in our past.

I was thinking about Rahab in Joshua chapter 2. She hid the spies that had come to spy out the city. They were planning on a capture. Even though we tend to still call her "Rahab the harlot" we could call her "Rahab, woman of great faith." She welcomed the spies and hid them to protect them because she said she knew their God (our God) was the true God reigning over heaven and earth. What boldness that took.

Do you think Rahab ever second-guessed her choice? Maybe she felt backed into a corner. Maybe she thought she was going to die either way - so she would take her chances with God. Who knows? 

The spies gave her a scarlet thread to hang out her window. They wanted to know where she and her family were hidden when they came back for the attack. A scarlet thread. Think about that just for a second - it could have been any color - but the thread of hope - the thread of grace - for the harlot's family  was scarlet just like the blood Jesus was going to shed on the cross for all of us. 

I'm pretty sure that when Rahab took time to look back after the battle, she thought a lot about that scarlet thread dangling out of her window. Would it be enough? Would they see it? Would they remember? It was indeed enough - and the scarlet threads of grace that God has interwoven into our lives is still enough to carry us through today's battle.

Today, I'll remind myself that God's given us a scarlet thread of grace to hang out our windows - it screams "I'm His!" He will see the blood applied to my heart, mind, and situation. God won't miss the threads of grace, because He put them there. My meditation will be on how God can still save, strengthen, and encourage my heart no matter what today brings. He's always looking for that thread - always ready to step in and rescue us from certain destruction. He is with us and His scarlet threads of grace are interwoven into our hearts. I can trust Him for one more day - through His grace. Will you join me?

________________________________________________________

Paperback, Kindle, or eBook

Affirmations for Caregivers contains an affirmation, a verse or two to read, and a prompt for a very short response for each day for a month or 31 days.  You can download the eBook from the Dove's Fire Ministries Bookstore right now and print it and and start today! The print version is also now available on Amazon! Check it out!

Don't forget the videos for the devotional are all on my YouTube channel too!