Always Working

As caregivers, it can be easy to feel like we are always working. There are no real days off - even if we get a little help or respite, we have to be available. For many caregivers, there are no breaks at all. If we are lucky and have some killer organizational skills, maybe we can watch a movie or read a little in a book now and then. But we are always on and never really off.

Rest is essential and even if we have to be a little (or a lot) creative, we have to figure out how to get some. Our mental health requires it. It can be hard though. 

Until this morning, I had this idea that God always rested. You know, He worked the six days of creation and then rested on the 7th day, right? I thought He worked hard those six days, then kicked back and watched how everything would play out over time. But I read a verse this morning that changed my whole concept.

In John 5, I was reading about how Jesus healed the man at the Pool of Bethesda. When confronted by the religious crowd about how He told the man to carry his mat on the Sabbath, Jesus had a simple answer. Their complaint was that there should be no work on the Sabbath and by ordering the man to "take up your bed (carry it) and walk" He was violating religious order.

But Jesus said this in verse 17, My Father never stops working, so why should I? Well, that burst my concept of God sitting in a state of perpetual rest. He's still working? Yes!

He did a whole lot after that 7th day rest. There was the flood. The Tower of Babel. And the relationship with Abraham all the way to Joseph. Exodus gives us a great example of God working - He went to Egypt and delivered His children out of slavery. He sent Jesus to the cross... and you get the idea. Surprise - God's been working all along! And the cool thing is that He's still working today!

Today, I'll remind myself that God is still working on my behalf. He's pouring out mercies new this morning - just for us! My meditations will be on how He is moving heaven and earth to ensure we know we are His. I'll think about how He is working by walking with me, providing for me (in real time!), and just being present with me.I will take time to thank Him today for continuing to work on me and with me patiently and relentlessly. I'll remind myself that He loves me and wants to spend time with me! And I will trust Him to work for one more day - will you join me?

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Book of the Week!

The book of the week for this week is 31 Days in Psalm 31. I found myself returning to that Psalm over and over. It brought so much encouragement and I found so many scriptures that were meditation-worthy, I decided it was a good topic. David wrote this psalm while in a cave hiding from Saul. Since much of my caregiving life feels like it's lived in a cave (we talk about the caregiver's cave a lot!), it seemed appropriate. You can get a Kindle or print version in my Amazon bookstore. Or you can download an eBook from my DFM bookstore.