Seek and Ye Shall Find

chris looking at a puppy when we were at Bluff Creek Trails

 This morning, I was thinking about how many "enemies" David had. He ran from Saul for years. But at one point, the Philistines hated him, even though he'd been running and fighting with them. At Ziklag (1 Sam. 30:6), his own men talked of stoning him. Then in 2 Sam 15 we read the story of how his own son, Absalom, rose up against him. That's a lot. 

As caregivers, it can feel like life is stacking "stuff" up against us constantly, right? 

As I was thinking about all of these situations, I wondered how David kept his mind right. That's a lot to navigate, physically and emotionally. Thankfully, most of it didn't happen all at one time. It sounds like a typical caregiving day to me. 

We never know what is going to happen in a day, when things may take a turn for the worse or for the better. Caregivers continue making the best decisions they can with the information they have available. This happens over time and sometimes it happens several times in a single day. It can feel like a lot!

But in 1 Samuel 20:6, the NLT says, But David found strength in the Lord his God. Other translations like the KJV say, David encouraged himself in the Lord. I thought it was interesting in the NLT, because it says David found...as if he was looking for it. 

After many years of caregiving, I hope I've learned to be more efficient at the seeking and finding parts!

Jesus said, seek and ye shall find. (Matthew 7:7-8) I've discovered that I will find exactly what I am seeking for. If I am looking for an excuse to be angry, depressed, or mad - I'll find it for sure! But if I turn my heart toward His and sincerely seek His strength, wisdom, and help - that's what I will find.

I love that David found strength in God. It's really the only place to look, isn't it? 

Today, when I feel overwhelmed, I'll remind myself that my hope and strength are in the Lord. I will turn my heart toward His word and His heart, knowing that's where I will find peace, comfort, hope, and strength for today's journey. My meditations will be on how He meets me where I am and pours His strength into me when I come to Him and wait on His strength. And today, I will wait for Him because I trust Him and I know He will carry me as needed... will you join me?


_______________________________________________

Affirmations for Caregivers

Cover of 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.


Comments

Post a Comment

Our Most Popular Posts

Find a New Hobby for These Surprising Benefits

Image
   Hobbies can help us connect to our creative side, spend quality time with our loved ones , and boost confidence, and, as EverydayPower.com notes, they can also promote mental and physical wellness . Whether you’re learning something new from a class or taking the initiative to tackle a project at home, practicing a hobby can improve your quality of life enormously. Looking for something fun to do with a friend or loved one?   Here are a few suggestions when you’re ready to find a fun new hobby to try:   Choose something that boosts your health   It can be challenging to take care of your overall wellness at times, especially when you’re busy taking care of family obligations. Learning to focus on your physical and mental health needs is much easier when it’s fun, however, and that’s where a hobby comes in. Look for one that helps you get active , such as a yoga class, or consider starting a walking group or joining a local organization that allow...
Read more

But I Have Today

Image
Do you ever have days that are just heavier than others? Of course, you do - who am I talking to? Saturday was Chris' 37th birthday. For some reason, it was unusually hard as I thought of where all his friends are today. You know, married, having kids, and enjoying their careers. I cried more than once that day. I grieved over what should have been, what could have been.  I hugged him a little tighter and thought about the progress he's made recently. The other night, I am certain he "sang" to me after I got him in bed. It was the sweetest thing and I posted it in his Facebook group where I share things I don't feel I can share as "publicly." He's moving more and initiating more of his movement on his own. There are many things to rejoice about. At the same time, I am getting older. My joints hurt and I wonder how much longer I can take care of him. I fear the day that I won't be able to. This is the way the rest of my life looks, and I am okay w...
Read more

No Get Out of Jail Free Cards?

Image
  Do you ever feel like life just doesn't let up? Sometimes it seems like caregivers should get some sort of exempt card. You know? Something that lets us stay in the cave without having to deal with all the craziness that's going on in the world. Well, it was just a thought. I guess there are no "get out of jail free cards" in life. A pandemic rages on and we didn't get an exempt card, did we? Political and civil unrest didn't qualify us for one either. We have to deal with all the craziness in the world plus our caregiving responsibilities. Isn't caregiving enough? Dealing with aids who don't show, people and family who do not know how to help so they avoid us, and the traffic of health care professionals of all sorts is enough for any given day. Yet it happens over and over again. How do we stay sane?  Caregivers are resilient - we just keep going. Every night I go to bed feeling like I failed. I didn't get enough done. It's easy to focus on...
Read more