What Rope?

 I'm sure you've heard  one of the sayings about ropes. Some say they are at the end of  their ropes. Others may say, tie a knot and hold on, then! As caregivers it can feel like we live on the end of that rope and there's not even enough room to tie a knot to give us a grip. Caregiver burnout is real. And there's no cure. It can make us feel like we are holding on to the end of this end of the rope while someone is setting fire to the other end. (Yes, I have a vivid imagination!)

What do we do when there's no one to call for "relief" or even a little bit of help? What's a caregiver to do when circumstances are more than overwhelming and there's no end in sight? Jesus said a lot of things. He said He is the way, truth, and life. He also said He was the bread of Heaven. Jesus said He was the door and the good shepherd. But I don't recall Him mentioning a rope.

Did Jesus ever feel like He was at the end of His rope? He didn't get frustrated with faithless disciples, even though He questioned them a lot. Have I been with you so long, yet you're still asking me to 'show  you the Father?" (John 14:9) He was so patient with those who just didn't quite get it. He spent the next couple of chapters explaining so much about the Kingdom of God. Then He prayed for them. (John 17) Jesus even said in verse 17, these disciples know You sent me. He followed that up with And I have revealed You to them and will keep on revealing You. (NLT)

Maybe they felt like they were at the end of their proverbial ropes. He kept talking to them and explaining things, and doing miracles, but they still felt a bit loss. Instead of giving up on them, Jesus said in His prayer that He would keep on revealing the Father to them. I think He takes this stance with us too.

There are days when we just don't quite get it - our lives may have been turned upside down and topsy-turvy. We can get lost in what I call the caregiver's fog. It's so easy to lose site of His promises in the day-to-days. It's not always easy to feel that He is right here with us. But I'm pretty sure that He keeps His hand extended for us to grab and never takes it back. Perhaps it acts as a virtual rope, ready to pull us in and close whenever we need it.

Today, I'll be thankful that even though God sees what a mess I am - He keeps revealing Himself to me. I'm so grateful that He keeps chasing me down to show me His mercy and grace. As much as I run, it never creates any distance between my heart and His. I'll remind myself that He is in my right here and He's not going anywhere. I'll look for ways He is revealing Himself to me right here in my caregiver cave, and I will trust Him for one more day. Will you join me?

Even though David hid out in a physical cave while he was running from a flesh-and-blood man - I can relate emotionally. Grab a copy of 31 Days in Psalm 31 and glean insight and understanding from the things David learned while hiding in a cave. 

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