Dessert Too Dry?

 Yes, I know how to spell. I'm the head of the grammar police! lol - I meant to say dessert, meaning the sweet things you eat after a meal, and sometimes before! I wasn't trying to say desert, the very dry land form where not much lives. 

The desert is dry for everyone. It's hot. It's uncomfortable. But dessert is not usually meant to be dry. It's supposed to be sweet, delicious, and enjoyable. But sometimes, for caregivers, even the sweet spots of life can seem difficult and dry. While everyone else is enjoying their piece of pie, we are sitting out. Alone. Hiding our emotions so they don't know that even the sweet can be bitter.

BC (before caregiving), we didn't have to miss family functions or worry about accessibility. There are so many factors that go into each and every decision we make. We are "on" 24/7, even when we try to sleep. But I do think that we learn to savor those quiet moments. The moments when something nice happens. And it doesn't even have to be very much.

Maybe you get a phone call from a friend you haven't talked to in a while. It may even be as simple as getting to watch the latest episode of your favorite new show! Ah, the small stuff counts too in the desert where even the dessert isn't sweet. LOL.

What I love about it is that God has grace enough for it all. He gets the tough times, the hurried times, and the quiet, nice moments, too. None of it scares Him away! LOL. He remains faithful and present. He has never abandoned us. Not in the darkest nights of our souls. Not in the longest, ugliest cry we ever had! Not in the moments of uncertainty when we are afraid to breathe, lest life breaks us. He still gets us. He remains.

Today, I will remind myself of Hebrews 13:5 - He will never leave or forsake me. I won't wake up in the morning and find that He packed up and left. No matter what a day brings, He will still be in my "here." No matter how ugly life gets or the cry gets, He stays. I'll set my heart and mind on the truth that He is my helper and He's always on just like I am. I choose to trust Him for one more day. Will you join me?

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I've been asked about donations to the ministry. Firstly, I do more than just this blog. I have written 15 books and they are for sale on Amazon. Many of those have been translated into Urdu and distributed to believers across Pakistan and India.

I also do a morning devotion (weekdays on FB). And do a zoom Bible study on Thursday nights.

 There's a lot going on! 

There are several ways to sew into Dove's Fire Ministries:

CashApp: $JeanieOlinger

Paypal: dovesfireministries@gmail.com

Zelle or Venmo are also available if you want info on those!

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.