Perpectives

This morning I got lost in this story in Matthew 12. It's a familiar story and one I have skipped a lot. Jesus was in the Synagogue and healed the man with a withered hand. The Pharisees got mad because He "worked" on the Sabbath by healing the man's hand. God doing the unexpected, and us not putting Him in a religious box was the topic of my Facebook Live devotions this morning. (YouTube video below!)

But as I thought about it long after I'd finished the video devotions, my thoughts took a few twists and turns.

What about the man who Jesus healed? The passage shares nothing about him - it was focused on Jesus operating outside religion's box. I mean, this dude went into the Synagogue with a crippled hand and came out whole. His livelihood was restored. His life was restored. I likened that to my soul. As a caregiver, and one who lives a totally different life and lifestyle than the mainstream, it can feel like being crippled.

Emotions are frayed and on end - that's crippling in itself.

Finances can be less than what we need.

Each day is a struggle to survive.

We never know what a day will bring which limits our abilities to socialize (if that's even a possibility at all!)

We can just feel like our lives are messed up. At best this man had one good arm and hand and I'm sure he learned to live with it and function in spite of it. Just like we often do with caregiving. It's just what we have been dealt and we work through it with the grace of God the best we can.

But then there are those occasions when God steps in. He comes in full of grace, mercy, love, and glory and totally wrecks us. We feel free on the inside, even though we are bound on the outside. Just like Jesus walked into this man's life that Sabbath day and made a difference - He does that for us over and over again.

Today, I choose to focus on His grace and not my shortcomings (though they are many!). I'll shift my focus from my "withered life" and look toward God's hand outstretched to me. My thoughts will be on His ever-abiding presence in this life and I'll meditate on how His grace is always enough for my day, no matter what it brings. I'll look for His unexpected blessings, peace, and grace as I trust Him for one more day. Will you join me?

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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. I also have videos on YouTube that coincide with each day's affirmation.

 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

New Release! Peace Out!

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.