A Hard Row

 Mark 6 is packed with things that make you scratch your head in wonder. Jesus feeds 5000 people with 7 loaves of bread and 2 fish, with the disciples giving Him a helping hand. They were part of the miracle. Verse 41 tells us that Jesus asked the Father to bless the food. In the natural, it was not enough. Once He prayed over the food, He began to break pieces off to give to the disciples, who distributed it to the crowd of hungry people. Even though they were an active part of this miracle, verse 52 says they still didn't get it because their hearts were hard and they didn't believe.

What a harsh thing to say about the disciples who were following Jesus so closely. But I have no judgement because I know there are areas that I struggle with believing. But let's back up in this story just a little bit.

Jesus sent the disciples across the lake toward Bethsaida, and He sent the people home. (v.45) He finally got away so He could spend some time in prayer. He must have spent a long time praying, because the next thing we read is that during the night a strong wind began to make the disciples' trip more difficult.

Jesus was on the land, and the disciples were out in the middle of the lake. But He saw them. He saw that they were having difficulty rowing the boat. It says in verse 48 that He saw:

• They were in serious trouble
• They were rowing hard 
• They were struggling

After He saw them and their dire circumstances, He came to them walking on the water. They were so scared when they saw him that they screamed like little girls. Lol. My interpretation. :-) 

He said, It's alright, I am here, don't be afraid. Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. Mark used three things to describe their situation and Jesus had an answer for each one.

• They were in serious trouble: Everything's okay
• They were rowing hard: I am here
• They were struggling: Don't be afraid

I don't know about you, but I know about me, and these three things could very easily be used to describe caregiving. We can feel overwhelmed, like we are in serious trouble emotionally, financially, physically, and in many other ways. Most days are a hard row. Some days it's hard enough to just breathe. And boy, can it be a struggle on so many levels. 

But God sees every ounce of struggle, fear, depression, grief, and everything else that makes up the package of caregiving, and He comes to us in the middle of the struggle. He doesn't avoid us. He doesn't keep His distance... He walks right out to us in the middle of the night, the middle of the storm, and He speaks to our souls.

He reminds it that it's all okay, even the struggle. He tells us He is in our "here." He is with us. And He reminds us to not be afraid. But then He does something else - He gets in the boat with us. And the wind stops. The wind that blows hard against our souls, that makes caregiving so difficult, becomes peaceful. He helps us navigate the dark waters and the rippling tides of life and speaks peace to our souls. 

Today, I will remind myself that He sees the struggle and He won't walk the other way. Jesus had the option of standing safely on the shore, but He walked out to the disciples and got in the boat with them. I will listen for His whispers to my soul that remind me He is here. It's going to be okay. And I don't have to be afraid. I will think about how He is in this boat with me, not just watching safely from the shore. And I know I can trust Him for one more day. 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.