The Classic Speech

 

Chris and I after our first 5K

Don't you just love the "you have to take care of yourself" speech? (sorry - there's not a way to type sarcastically!) My son's nurse was here for her visit yesterday and she started asking me who I called when I needed a break. I just laughed at her. I did explain that if there was some sort of emergency, I have family who could help out, but other than that there is no one to call for a "day out." I know she meant well. They always do. But it has the effect of making me face the cold, hard truth that I'm in it all by myself with no relief in sight. I'm okay with that, I think. 

I understood her concern, really, I did, but it was emotionally paralyzing to have to come face to face with reality. Maybe it's a little bit like telling someone to move a paralyzed limb. They can't. But you keep telling them that's what they need to do - just move it... right? It's just not going to happen. So, as caregivers, we just keep adjusting and adapting and surviving.

There is absolutely nothing easy about the caregiving journey, and unless one has walked that path - they just won't get it. I can't hold that against them, right? Life just goes on for everyone else while we try to make it in our caregiving bubbles. When there isn't any other choice - there's not a lot to think about, though. We just keep on doing what we do. Every day. Over and over. It seems easy for others to identify what we need - but not offer their help or not provide a solution.

I'm so glad that God doesn't have a long-distance relationship with us like that. He doesn't should on us and then walk away back to His normal life just leaving us hanging. Instead, like Job's friends, He may just sit with us in silence, but He will not leave us or fill us full of impossible or improbable solutions. I can't imagine being on this caregiving journey without Him, can you?

Just about the time I think I'm done and cannot handle the proverbial one-more-thing, He steps in with an extra measure of grace. There are times I look back on and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He has carried me. I didn't have the strength to carry myself.

Today, I may be totally burned out (Lol), but I will take a moment to just thank God for staying on this journey with me. When others have abandoned, there is God. When others just don't understand, there God is. When others have solutions but no help, God is there. My meditations will be on this present help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1) I will be grateful that He understands me and doesn't throw me away or walk away because the journey gets tough or I get cranky. He remains. For that, I am thankful, and I know I can trust Him for one more day. Will you join me?




Cover of the devotional Command Your Morning

Check out my latest release. Command Your Morning is a 31-day devotional that is focused on taking charge of your soul and day in the morning and trusting God that the rest of the day will follow suit! You can get the eBook from my shop at Buy Me A Coffee. Or the kindle version is available in my Amazon Shop.

The print version will take a few days to get formatted and uploaded - but it's coming soon!!!!


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