Time vs Eternity
I think most of us can agree that it isn't eternity that we are worried about. As believers, we've already secured that package deal! It's what we are carrying through time that weighs us down. It's the day-to-day responsibilities associated with caring for others that drags our souls (mind, will, emotions) through hell and back. Of course, we look forward to the "sweet by and by." But what about the nasty now and now?
This morning, I was reading in Jeremiah. In chapter 9, verses 23-24, the prophet says this: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, or the mighty man in his might, or the rich man in his riches. Let them boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand I am the Lord who is just and righteous, whole love is unfailing, and I delight in these things.
Physical strength, riches, worldly wisdom - none of these will do us any good once we step out of time and into eternity. Knowing God, worship, and people will stand the test of both time and eternity. So, what does that have to do with making it through another caregiving day? Everything.
Somehow, through the caregiver fog, we must fix our eyes on the author and finisher of our faith - the One who has gone before. In our worlds, things often change on a dime. One second, the day is going as smoothly as caregiving can go. The next, everything suddenly falls apart. It may be a slip or fall, a trip to the emergency room, or a call from a healthcare professional with bad news. But it doesn't take long for our day and our souls to unravel and suddenly be lying at our feet in a heap of unrecognizable strands.
The key, then, is to keep our minds on the eternal and the things that cannot and will not change. I learned to encourage myself early on with the attributes about God that I knew wouldn't change, even though the world I knew had been ripped apart and the future was so uncertain I couldn't even imagine it. I had to start at the most basic place: God, I know you are still there. I literally kept reminding myself of that truth. Eventually, I started focusing on how my tragic situation didn't change His love for me. I know You are there - and I know You love me. (even if I don't feel it.) After some time, I began to discover so many attributes about God that are not changed by anything that happens here in time, and they will all remain throughout eternity. His grace and favor will always be for us. His mercies don't go away with the phone call none of us wants to get. He is still on His throne, and absolutely nothing can knock Him off or make Him want to throw in the proverbial towel.
As I started focusing on things that could not be changed, I began to be able to deal with a life that was given to constant change and disruption. I can stand firmly on His grace. Period. I know that His mercies are in my today, and they'll be in my tomorrow too! These types of things helped me become more grounded in Him, and I realized I was still securely attached to Him, even though my sense of security had gotten all messed up - thanks, life! Lol.
Today, I will continue to remind myself that He is unchangeable. He will continue to love me, even when I feel like I don't deserve it or I don't think I measure up. (I don't know what we think we need to "measure up" to...) I'll think about how His grace is always enough for our days, and it didn't take today off. My heart will be filled with gratitude (which influences our attitude!!) as I recall that His mercies were brand new for me this morning - the morning I need it most. And then, I'll remind myself of all that He's brought me through, and I know I can trust Him with this today, too. Will you join me?
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Affirmations for Caregivers
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