For much of my adult life I have quoted this scripture found in Jeremiah 29:11. You probably have heard it thousands of times yourself. He has good thoughts about us, plans for a future and a hope. But sometimes when tragic things happen we struggle to figure out what's so good about it.
Caregiving can be so stressful on our entire being, physically, mentally, emotionally and even spiritually. It's really hard sometimes to see the good things that He has planned for us. And actually at times, it is impossible!
But then you have to remember the audience. God was telling this to people who had been taken captive. They were basically overtaken by another king and their city was captured and destroyed. Yet here we have God telling them all about the good plans He has for them. Just interesting to me!
The thing is for me that it is so easy to get my eyes on the immediate surroundings. I have all the responsibilities of caregiving, PLUS trying to figure out how to make money on line, and being somewhat trapped in the house..etc..you know the drill! How can God still have good plans for me?
We must try desperately to look past what we see right in front of us. Yes, I have to plan my future while sitting in the present and trying to forget the pleasant past when things were different. But it's all relative to eternity. We must see that we are eternal beings and that's the part of us that God keeps; and nothing can get to that part of us. That's the real us - that's the real part of the person we are caring for as well. That part of our being cannot be damaged by tragedy or trials. The inner core of our being is totally in God's care no matter what surrounds. That's where I know I will always have good, because I will always have His presence to help carry me through what this flesh is enduring.
Trust Him today for the good of your soul - the real you! He's carrying you!
And Boy Do I Need the Help!
This morning I came across a scripture in Hebrews 13:6. It is actually a quote out of Psalms. It simply says The Lord is my helper I will no be afraid, what can man do to me. I didn't so much think about what effect other people may have on me as I really am worrying about that less and less. But I focused on the first part of the verse...the Lord is my helper.
I can think of a couple of other verses about that just off the top of my head. Psalm 121 says I will look to the Lord where my help comes from. And then in Psalm 30:10 is a plea for help Lord, be my helper! It's not that I am so Bible smart - it's just that I've needed lots of help! lol!
I am to the place in this walk that I really do not know how to go on without His help. A caregiver runs on overload all the time. There isn't a "break" actually. Because if you're like me, even if you sit down to enjoy a cup of coffee you feel guilty because surely there's something you need to be doing for your loved one!
He is my strength and I say gladly that I cannot walk through this fire without His help! So today I will rest in Him as I realize that He alone is my help! And He alone can give me strength to stand...and strength to walk through one more day of this journey.
I can think of a couple of other verses about that just off the top of my head. Psalm 121 says I will look to the Lord where my help comes from. And then in Psalm 30:10 is a plea for help Lord, be my helper! It's not that I am so Bible smart - it's just that I've needed lots of help! lol!
I am to the place in this walk that I really do not know how to go on without His help. A caregiver runs on overload all the time. There isn't a "break" actually. Because if you're like me, even if you sit down to enjoy a cup of coffee you feel guilty because surely there's something you need to be doing for your loved one!
He is my strength and I say gladly that I cannot walk through this fire without His help! So today I will rest in Him as I realize that He alone is my help! And He alone can give me strength to stand...and strength to walk through one more day of this journey.
Starting the Day Tired
Do you ever just get up tired? And even if you got a few hours sleep (which is rare for me all in a row!) just the thoughts about the things that must be done in general caregiving can be overwhelming. There is just so much to do in a day, and it's easy to be tired just thinking about it!
The thing is with being a caregiver we cannot just give ourselves a day off! It's just not an option as everything still has to be done no matter how we feel physically, mentally or emotionally.
These are the days I go back to one of my favorite scriptures. We used to sing it when I was a kid:
The thing is with being a caregiver we cannot just give ourselves a day off! It's just not an option as everything still has to be done no matter how we feel physically, mentally or emotionally.
These are the days I go back to one of my favorite scriptures. We used to sing it when I was a kid:
They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength
They shall mount up with wings of eagles
They shall run and not grow weary
They shall walk and not faint
The verses immediately preceding this favorite are all about how God does hear and see. He does not get tired of us getting tired and running to Him! So if you are tired today (and even if you're not) run to Him and allow Him to fill you with His strength for today!
We Are Not Alone
I just finished up a chat with a lady in a caregiver support group. She was so saddened that the church and friends had left her alone. She had experiences that are not unique to these types of situation. Lots of people are there when tragedy strikes but as it drags on into months and even years people drop off little by little.
Many times caregiving is a walk alone. There is a loneliness when you don't have the freedom to go grab a cup of coffee at leisure, or run to the store to grab a couple of items. You have to make a list and wait for the aid to come! Really your life was somewhat lost in the caregiving. There isn't the freedom to go out with friends, or even make new friends easily...it can be a very alone place.
But we have to remember that God said in Hebrews 13:5 that He would never leave or forsake us. And actually, that is a quote from Deuteronomy 31:6! The feelings of alone-ness are real, being alone is not. However, it does help if we can occasionally talk to someone who really has skin on!
My daughter had a head on collision in 2001. She wasn't injured seriously but when I came upon the wreck since I was following shortly behind her...I didn't know that. After a short hospital stay I brought her home. I felt so alone. The church I was going to actually called me on Wednesday and asked me to do the service - music and teaching since they didn't feel well! Wow - that's crazy to me now! But during that time of not knowing if she was okay or not I wrote a song. Below are the lyrics... I hope they help us all remember today that we are not alone...
God can hear your heart
when there's nothing left to say
He can hear your cry
when there's nothing left to pray
You are not alone
All hope is not gone
There's One you can call on
You are not alone...
God can hear your heart
When all that's left is a sigh
He can hear your cry
When all your tears are dry
You are not alone
All hope is not gone
There's One you can call on
You are not alone....
Many times caregiving is a walk alone. There is a loneliness when you don't have the freedom to go grab a cup of coffee at leisure, or run to the store to grab a couple of items. You have to make a list and wait for the aid to come! Really your life was somewhat lost in the caregiving. There isn't the freedom to go out with friends, or even make new friends easily...it can be a very alone place.
But we have to remember that God said in Hebrews 13:5 that He would never leave or forsake us. And actually, that is a quote from Deuteronomy 31:6! The feelings of alone-ness are real, being alone is not. However, it does help if we can occasionally talk to someone who really has skin on!
My daughter had a head on collision in 2001. She wasn't injured seriously but when I came upon the wreck since I was following shortly behind her...I didn't know that. After a short hospital stay I brought her home. I felt so alone. The church I was going to actually called me on Wednesday and asked me to do the service - music and teaching since they didn't feel well! Wow - that's crazy to me now! But during that time of not knowing if she was okay or not I wrote a song. Below are the lyrics... I hope they help us all remember today that we are not alone...
God can hear your heart
when there's nothing left to say
He can hear your cry
when there's nothing left to pray
You are not alone
All hope is not gone
There's One you can call on
You are not alone...
God can hear your heart
When all that's left is a sigh
He can hear your cry
When all your tears are dry
You are not alone
All hope is not gone
There's One you can call on
You are not alone....
Honesty - Really is The Best Policy
Anger can come so easily when you are consumed with caregiving. Don't let people tell you it's a sin to be angry. Paul didn't say to never be angry; he simply said don't sin when you are angry. Actually there are several references to this falsely accused emotion in the Bible. And Jesus' anger at seeing the house of prayer turning into a public marketplace where sacrifices were being bought and sold is only one such example.
When I am angry, I just tell God why. It's not like He doesn't know. He knows what upset me to begin with, he knows how the emotions can rage, He understands me through and through. It's not like if I squelch it completely like it isn't there it will be unnoticeable to Him, is it?
I may be totally off, but I am thinking that when I get on overload I can tell Him all about it. It's not like it surprises Him and He's going to say, "I had no idea you felt that way."!
Psalm 51:6 says Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts. Honesty is still the best policy. God is the safest place to vent all our emotions. My daughter used to write letters to God. I think she still has notebooks filled with these letters. I find I write out a lot of my emotions. Putting them on paper and walking away is sometimes a good place to leave them.
Today, just be brutally honest with God. Tell Him exactly how you feel, what you thinking - or even if you don't know how to think! Pour it out before Him. This is how healing begins.
When I am angry, I just tell God why. It's not like He doesn't know. He knows what upset me to begin with, he knows how the emotions can rage, He understands me through and through. It's not like if I squelch it completely like it isn't there it will be unnoticeable to Him, is it?
I may be totally off, but I am thinking that when I get on overload I can tell Him all about it. It's not like it surprises Him and He's going to say, "I had no idea you felt that way."!
Psalm 51:6 says Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts. Honesty is still the best policy. God is the safest place to vent all our emotions. My daughter used to write letters to God. I think she still has notebooks filled with these letters. I find I write out a lot of my emotions. Putting them on paper and walking away is sometimes a good place to leave them.
Today, just be brutally honest with God. Tell Him exactly how you feel, what you thinking - or even if you don't know how to think! Pour it out before Him. This is how healing begins.
Just Read The Red Words!
Usually when I purchase a new Bible I make sure it has the words of Christ in red. Sometimes I like to just read the red words. I want to know what was important to Him. We tend to talk about the things that are important to us. Think about that a little. Trust me, I won't be long in a discussion on ballet, baseball or bacteria! I don't care and I won't have much to say at all. But if you start talking about football, the Bible or grandbabies you got my attention and my input! So the red words tell us what was important to Him.
One of the first scriptures I learned on purpose is John 14:27. Jesus is talking to His followers about how He is living in them and how Holy Spirit will teach them and help them remember the things He said to them. Then he makes this statement that I have held on to for years Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.
I love that He gives us His peace - not the cheap or "peace with a hook" the world may offer. Just plain and simple we have His peace. And we do not have to be troubled even in adversity, because we have His peace! His peace has overridden my fears many times on this caregiving journey. Only He can wash away a long worrisome night and place peace there instead. So today - read the red words! And rest in His peace.
One of the first scriptures I learned on purpose is John 14:27. Jesus is talking to His followers about how He is living in them and how Holy Spirit will teach them and help them remember the things He said to them. Then he makes this statement that I have held on to for years Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.
I love that He gives us His peace - not the cheap or "peace with a hook" the world may offer. Just plain and simple we have His peace. And we do not have to be troubled even in adversity, because we have His peace! His peace has overridden my fears many times on this caregiving journey. Only He can wash away a long worrisome night and place peace there instead. So today - read the red words! And rest in His peace.
I Am More Than A Caregiver
Sometimes people forget that we are more than just a caregiver. They don't take the time to get to know us. They only see the surface, and choose to only know us on that level simply as a caregiver.
But we are still real people! Some of our own dreams are even still in tact. We still like to socialize and have a cup of coffee or tea with a friend. Maybe we write, read, cry and laugh just like everyone else. There is so much more to us than just caregiving. Actually there's a whole inside structure that even caused us to be a caregiver to a loved one to begin with.
We still enjoy all the finer things of life that we did before our lives changed. But people don't really always know quite what to do with us. And many times do not take the time to find out! I'm not making a negative here - it's mostly true that they are not sure quite what to do with us! And not so much don't want to..
But I am thankful that God still sees our heart. Psalm 139 says that He is intimately acquainted with all our ways. He takes the time to know us through and through. When people are not sure what to do with us - He is sure! He knows everything about us down to what makes us tick and even our every thought! He's big enough to love us - carry us - and still want to know us! He knows how much more there is inside this packaged caregiver! Let Him enjoy you today!
But we are still real people! Some of our own dreams are even still in tact. We still like to socialize and have a cup of coffee or tea with a friend. Maybe we write, read, cry and laugh just like everyone else. There is so much more to us than just caregiving. Actually there's a whole inside structure that even caused us to be a caregiver to a loved one to begin with.
We still enjoy all the finer things of life that we did before our lives changed. But people don't really always know quite what to do with us. And many times do not take the time to find out! I'm not making a negative here - it's mostly true that they are not sure quite what to do with us! And not so much don't want to..
But I am thankful that God still sees our heart. Psalm 139 says that He is intimately acquainted with all our ways. He takes the time to know us through and through. When people are not sure what to do with us - He is sure! He knows everything about us down to what makes us tick and even our every thought! He's big enough to love us - carry us - and still want to know us! He knows how much more there is inside this packaged caregiver! Let Him enjoy you today!
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