It's So Continuous

 One of the many difficulties with being a caregiver is that we are always on. There's no break and no time off. Even when we get a little respite, we have to have our phones ready in case we get a call about our loved one's care. It's not like we are caregivers on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with an occasional weekend tossed in. It's an every single day, 24/7, seven days a week deal! 

Being on all the time can wear on our emotions and work into our souls. This is why it's so important to stay focused on our Help - the Great Sustainer of our Souls. Psalm 54:4 says Surely God is my helper, the Lord is the One Who sustains my soul. (NIV) When we invite Him into our messy worlds, whether it's our emotions, thoughts, feelings, or broken soul, He walks right in with all that He is. AND - He brings all that He is right into our brokenness. While the world avoids us because it makes them feel uncomfortable, He rushes into be with us and walk with us on the rocky caregiving road.

Why is that? I think He can't help Himself. He wants to be with us so badly that He jumps at any opportunity our souls open up. He is our present help in time of trouble or need. His presence can change our whole demeanor and outlook. 

But what I think I love most is that He doesn't get tired of being always on. He doesn't tell us He'll come at morning's first light. There's no scheduling appointments for next Thursday. He is with us in the nitty gritty of the every day tasks of caregiving, and He don't miss a thing. 

He sees how caregiving affects our souls, the pleasant and the unpleasant. 

He sees our pain and even feels it with us. He gets us. And He still chooses to stay with us. 

In fact, in the very next Psalm, the psalmist encourages us to cast your burden on the Lord and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22) We didn't have to trade in one ounce of salvation when we became caregivers. He didn't require us to turn in our joy, peace or righteousness. We still have all of who He is and all that He has provided for the believer who is walking through time. I need that reminder today, how about you?

Today, I'll remind myself once again that my circumstances don't scare God. He's not afraid to walk right into my day, and He's not revoking anything He has given me as a believer. My meditations will be on how my Helper continues to be my righteousness (whether I feel it or not), my peace (whether I figure out how to let it reign or not), and my joy (even in the darkest parts of my life). I will step aside today and let Him lead, let Him help, let Him strengthen, and let Him do what I do not have the strength to do. I'll trust Him for one more day. Will you join me?

Check out one of my latest releases. (I have a new one coming next month, so stay tuned!) Peace Out! It's in the Bible is a 31-day devotional that is focused on letting God's peace reign in our hearts - no matter what. 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.