Caregiver's Obstacle Course

 I did an obstacle course once back in my racing days. I LOVED it! There were plenty of obstacles to navigate along the race course, but this one was a little unique. It also had puzzles you had to stop and figure out along the way. The problem is that your body pumps you full of adrenaline for the physical challenges of the obstacles. Then, you've got to stop and try to calm all that down so you can think to figure out each puzzle. The unique challenges made it one of my most memorable races.

Caregiving can provide some great parallels to a course like that. There are obstacles to navigate all along the way - and that is every day, all day long. Our emotions and adrenaline run high, but we must stop and do some deep thinking along the way as well. We work through financial obstacles. Then, there are physical challenges to caring for another person, especially for loved ones who are total or nearly total care. 

There are mental challenges. We must keep our heads clear so we can manage appointments, medications, and sundry other tasks every day. But I think the emotional challenges are sometimes the most weighty. It's so easy to get sucked into a deep, dark chasm that we can't see or feel our way out of. We navigate a wide variety of grief that comes at us from all different directions. Loss sucks. On every level.

Here's what I love about it - God is with us every step of the way. If we are running full throttle at obstacles, He's right alongside. When we have to stop and think things through and figure out our next steps. He stands beside us. Nothing causes Him to throw in the towel. No obstacle is too difficult for Him to work through with us. He's not surprised by anything, and He never gives up. He just keeps running the course with us, beside us, sometimes for us.

Today, I will remind myself that God is with me on this caregiver obstacle course. He will be right there beside me no matter what life throws at me today. Even if I stumble or lose my way - He never gets thrown off. He never trips. He never gets lost. He knows right where He is going and where I am going. I will trust Him to navigate today with/for me. Will you join me?

Check out one of my best-selling books - 31 Days in Psalm 31. It's a devotional taken from Psalm 31 (obviously!) - a time when David was hiding in a cave from Saul - even though he'd been anointed the next king. The social isolation of caregiving can certainly make it feel like we live in a cave but God is there with us. And that's what this 31-day devotional is all about, exploring and discovering God in the caves of life. You can get the eBook from my shop at Buy Me A Coffee. Or the print and kindle versions are available in my Amazon Shop.

COMING SOON!!

I'm happy to announce I have a new devotional coming out in November! It's called "Command Your Morning." It takes a look at scriptures that allow us to get a good grip on His peace and direction for the day. Keep an eye out - more announcements coming soon!