Swarming Bees

 Have you ever been chased by a swarm of bees? I haven't yet! But there was this one time when my kids were young teens. We went out to the lake to hang out for the evening. I reached down to touch a little flower. I guess I startled a little bee. It looked like a bumblebee, but it was a LOT smaller. But it started flying toward me. I yelled, "Run!" And we all three took off running with the little bee hanging in behind us.

I remember thinking that all I had to do was run faster than one kid! (Mom of the year material right there! Lol) Well, it turned out that I started laughing so hard I couldn't run. We didn't get stung, and the bee eventually stopped chasing us. Sure is a great memory of us running and looking back to see if it was still behind us.

That memory came up as I read verse 12 in Psalm 118. The psalmist felt like his enemies had surrounded him like bees. Aside from my funny story, that's a scary thought. But as caregivers, it's a reality. Not the bees so much, thankfully. But our caregiving tasks and day-to-days can sure feel like we are surrounded and about to be taken over. Even if those feelings are just in our minds, they can be overwhelming and debilitating.

I get debilitating. There are times when I just want to sit and stare at the wall and sip my coffee. Every once in a while, I give in and just do it. But lately, I've been able to shorten that time and kick myself in the behind and get back to work. Lol. Hey - progress is progress!

Let's look at the rest of verse 12 and even verse 13. The psalmist feels surrounded. They (enemies) surrounded me like bees; they were quenched like a fire of thorns; for in the name of the Lord, I will destroy them! I love that declaration. 

Yes, the enemy surrounds. Yes, I feel overwhelmed. Yes, I want to sit and stare at the wall.... BUT I will overcome through the Lord and by His help!

Today, no matter what comes at me or tries to surround me, I'll remind myself that God's got my back! My declaration will be that I will destroy the enemies of my heart, mind, and soul by the name of the Lord! I will trust Him for one more day and trust Him for peace. 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.