Still Trusting

 I woke up this morning to realize that I am still trusting God. How do I know it? Because the long list of to-dos and concerns running through my head were each one turned into a prayer. As I was praying through my mental list, I realized I was still trusting Him for answers. Even though they may not come immediately, by noon or in a way that I recognize them at all - the answers will come. Situations will be resolved. I'll get through. And in its most basic state - that is trust. That is faith.

I'll share my FaceBook Live video at the bottom of this post. In it, I shared that Jesus calmed the storm and said those beautiful words that we need to be spoken to our souls every day. Peace, be still. And then, He turned to the disciples and told them they had no faith. But He still calmed the storm. They were learning to trust Him from the inside out. I dare say that, as caregivers, that is what we do every single day.

Are you still reaching for Him? Do you still pray for answers? Do you continue to read the Bible to find an anchor for your soul to hold on to? Then you are still trusting too! It's easy to condemn ourselves for being in the middle of the storm, but just like the disciples, Jesus sent them to the other side. Our continued seeking, reaching, reading, and praying are all indicators that we still intensely need God. We haven't given up yet!

Sometimes, I get frustrated with God because I don't get the answer I want, or it doesn't come like I expected it. I also get frustrated with the storm. I get tired. Every once in a while, I'll think, why am I even praying. God doesn't care. But in a matter of minutes, something else comes up, and I find myself running to His throne with it in hand. Lol. I can't help myself - I trust God even when the boat is rocking to and fro. I bet you do too! So, give yourself a break!

Today, I am going to encourage my soul to rest in Him. I'll remind myself that I just keep trusting Him in and out of the storms life brings. My heart and my hands are continually lifted to the God I serve. I trust Him to calm the storms around me, even when I doubt. Even when I worry. Even when it all feels out of control. I can trust Him. You can trust Him. We can trust Him... can we join together in trusting Him for one more day?

Well, That's Confusing

 We are fortunate to have a doctor that comes to our home to see my son. She was just here, but what she told me left me very confused. You see, Friday, Chris had a fever of 100.9, so she prescribed antibiotics. Her monthly visit was already scheduled for today, so that worked out well. But what she told me, I found very confusing. 

The phone call I got late Friday afternoon concerning the x-ray results was that he had bilateral something or other. I felt like it was just some leftovers from Covid. Today, the doc said the x-ray looks exactly the same as it did when he came home from the hospital with Covid, but she did the antibiotics because he had a fever. She left me scratching my head. I have tons of questions, which in itself is not unusual - since I am the "Question Queen." Lol.

Is he sick or not? Why would you prescribe antibiotics unless you knew he had an infection of some sort? Why are his lungs not clearing out? Frustration began to rise as I tried to figure out what to do and how to respond. As caregivers, we can find ourselves in these confusing situations a lot, and it requires us to be at the top of our game all the time! 

Sometimes, I find myself confused when I read the Bible too. Jesus said that He left His peace here - why don't I feel it? He said He would never leave us alone - so why do I feel so alone most of the time? Jesus told Peter that he was to be sifted. Peter's faith was to be tried. Then Jesus told him that He prayed for him so his faith wouldn't fail. Why didn't Jesus pray Peter wouldn't have to go through that storm? Why didn't God deliver the 3 Hebrew children before they had to go through the fire? Why did Daniel sit all night long in a den with the lions? Couldn't God have rescued him earlier? Angels brought Peter out of prison twice in the book of Acts. Paul and Silas were rescued from the jail cell too. Did they have peace? Why didn't they get to avoid the hard stuff? 

It can be a bit confusing when we see God act one way in a situation but do something else in another. For instance, Jesus healed blind people in the Gospels. But one time, He spits in the dirt and made mud that he applied to the blind guy's eyes. But He didn't do it the same way every time - He only did it that way one time. Why? Maybe it's so we wouldn't think faith has a formula. Maybe it's so we will have to just trust Him for the outcome while walking through the circumstances. There isn't a "caregiver's prayer" in the Bible. And there's no magic switch to make everything all hunky-dory again. When circumstances are confusing - it's simply a call to trust Him more.

Today, I will commit to trusting God for those confusing things on this journey. Instead of letting my head run off with tons of questions, I will focus on God. Every time I get confused, I'll thank God for something different that He's provided for this journey through time. Maybe I'll start with peace. Then, I will move on to grace... and mercy... His presence. I will choose to trust Him for one more day - will you join me?

                                                                                                                                                           

Find a New Hobby for These Surprising Benefits

  

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 allows you access to swim activities. You can also try a hobby that will allow you to make healthier lifestyle changes, such as a cooking class that focuses on vegetarian dishes. The Food Network points out that this is a perfect option if you have a garden and want to incorporate the foods you grow into your meals, and it’s a great way to spend quality time with a parent or child.

 Turn your skills into a new career

 Whether you’re ready to try something new like yoga or focus on building skills you already have in an area like photography or painting, you may decide to take your new hobby one step further and turn it into a business. This is a great way to earn extra money or even start a new career, but it’s important to make sure you understand what you’ll be taking on, especially when it comes to maintaining your enjoyment of the activity once you have to do it.

 Starting a business may sound like a major undertaking, and while it does require some hard work, it’s much easier to do these days than you might think, thanks to online resources. You can use a formation service to create an LLC, which will protect your assets and provide tax benefits; just make sure you check the required steps for your state before getting started.

Go back to school to teach

 Another great way to change your career with a hobby is to go into teaching. Finding an activity that you’re skilled at is not only beneficial for you, but it can also benefit others if you learn how to pass those skills on. You can take online classes and study instructional practice and learner development with a Bachelor of Education degree program, which will make it easy to continue taking care of everything else on your plate. As you’re looking at the options, you’ll discover that you might teach language, dance, art, or a traditional subject that you’re passionate about.

 Give yourself space to practice

 No matter how you choose to practice, starting a new hobby is much easier and more relaxing if you have your own space to do it. Whether you need a quiet spot for yoga/meditation or a studio to make art in, giving yourself an area in the house will make the process much more fun. You might turn a garage into a workspace or add a room in the basement that holds all of your crafting supplies. Be sure to keep receipts and other important paperwork when making changes to the home itself so you can turn them into an appraiser and get full value should you decide to sell down the road.

Hobbies have multiple benefits for our well-being, and they can also provide a new way to earn income. Consider earning a teaching degree or starting a business based on your favorite activity, and make sure you give yourself a space at home to practice so you can maximize those benefits.

 Photo via Pexels

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Decisions, Decisions

 

This morning, I stood in my kitchen trying to decide what to make for my son's breakfast. Usually, it's not a difficult decision. I blend oats, nuts, coconut milk, fresh berries, chia seeds, and fresh berries up to put in his tube. But since he's sick again, I thought I might do the chicken soup I made for him yesterday instead. Then, I thought I would make our usual "breakfast' for his lunch feeding and do soup later. It sounds silly in a way, but I just stood there trying to decide which route to take for his food intake today. 

Tons of questions were running through my mind. Would the potatoes be too hard on his system? Aren't the eggs really good for him, though, they have tons of stuff in their yokes? Is the chicken too greasy? Then I got a bit frustrated just because I was having to veer off my norms and make a decision. Making decisions for others is not fun, especially when they can't express themselves.

I also wanted to take him to a local car show today, but again - he's sick. Again. (Sigh) Another decision I had to make. Sometimes, we don't even realize how many decisions we make on a typical caregiving day. Yesterday, I decided to call the doctor, and it was the right choice. The importance of daily and periodic decisions also varies from who really cares to life or death, literally. But there are days when making tons of little decisions can rock our emotions and become overwhelming. That was me this morning. I would say I'm not going to make any decisions today - but, of course, that is a decision. Lol. 

As I was working through various decisions and the accompanying weariness with them, I thought about how God makes decisions. Better yet, I thought about how He made many of them before He said, "Let there be light." He chose to create the world, humans, and everything else we see. He also decided to fuel our lives with a single breath that He breathed into Adam. Psalm 139 reminds us that He knew all of our days and wrote them in a book long before He watched our frame be formed in the womb. God decided that Jesus would be the propitiation for all the sins that would ever be committed in the world - before Adam and Eve even fell. Their sin was a decision to not obey God, by the way.

God decided to love us. He chooses to walk with us through time. He decided to give us His peace, to sustain us by His grace, and to renew His mercies for us each and every morning. 

Today, I will lean into God's heart as I continue to make decisions, no matter how small they seem. I will quiet my soul, rest in His love, and wait for His mercy as I work through the day. I will be still and know He is God. (Psalm 46:10) I will trust Him for each step, each situation, and each decision I have to make today. With that, I can just rest in Him and trust He will guide me with His love. Will you join me?

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The Great Escape

 The caregiving journey, like most journies, is made up of lots of ups and downs. I've "bragged" about it before, but I can go from super duper elated to completely down in the dumps and right back up again in under 10 seconds! Lol. No matter what the scenario, caregiving is not easy. In the best settings, emotions are easily fried, and we can become a frazzled mess, even if we never show it outwardly. Did you ever wonder if there was a way to escape?

Escaping for a couple of hours can make a huge positive impact on emotions and help protect the caregiver's mental health. But - who gets to do that? Sometimes, caregivers get respite, but it may be too expensive or just not be provided.  No one will argue with how difficult caregiving is. But we know that in the midst of the hard spots, there are some wonderful memories and emotions too. Precious moments with our loved ones are invaluable. Fortunately, they are not always tainted with pain or worry. Wouldn't it be great to escape for a few minutes, even some days?

In Psalm 124:7, David says, our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; their snare is broken, and we have escaped. (NKJV) In the next verse, he goes on to say that our help is in the name of the Lord. God can help our souls escape, so that we don't feel in bondage or imprisoned to caregiving. It's easy to feel like we are living through the verses before the "great escape" where David says he felt like he was being swallowed alive, the waters would overwhelm them, and the swollen waters and stream would go over their souls. I think I can relate. But I do know that God's peace can provide an escape for our soul no matter what our caregiving plate looks like.

Today, I will let my soul escape into God's heart, where I know He will hold and protect it. I'll make a conscious choice to rely on Him for peace, direction, and help for my soul. I will remind myself that He alone is my help - and today, I'm not looking for another God. He is my soul's refuge, and he can give my soul the reprieve it needs. I'll be thankful that He didn't say His peace was for everyone but the caregiver. And that He never excludes us when He's handing out blessings. So, I will trust Him for this already crazy crazy day! Will you join me?

Celebrate the Small Stuff

 

A couple of weeks ago we got on the C-train. Yes, we both had COVID, after three years of steering clear, we both ended up with it. Being sick is just half of the battle as a caregiver. With the fatigue of being sick and trying to push through that to take care of Chris, I just didn't have the energy to do any work. My mind was scattered and uncooperative. I ended up missing two weeks of work. This morning, one of the clients I thought I had lost sent me an assignment. It's a low-paying client, but I was so happy to see the assignment come through on my task app! I began to thank God for providing for us. I started thinking about the importance of celebrating the small victories we have each day.

It's easy to get swept away with the tasks and responsibilities of caregiving. It's just as easy to be overwhelmed, and many caregivers deal with depression. We can wrestle with a number of negative emotions. When I began to thank God for this small victory, I realized how important it is to find areas to celebrate. It's essential to our mental health, which is something we don't talk about enough in our society. 

I started trying to find scriptures that might help support this idea. The one example I thought of was when the crowd had followed Jesus out into a remote place. there were at least 5000 people there needing sustenance. The disciples scoured the crowd to find something, anything edible. They found a measly two fish and five loaves of bread. (Mark 6:38) After Jesus gave thanks, He ordered the disciples to begin to distribute the fish and bread. Mark's account goes on to say that the fish and bread were distributed among the people, and they all ate and were satisfied. (v.42) As a matter of fact, they even had 12 baskets of consumable leftovers! 

It's safe to say that celebrating the small things, even if they don't seem to be enough, is one of the keys to living victoriously, even in difficulty. As I continue to work through my days, I intentionally look for things to celebrate. It makes such a difference in my demeanor and attitude. Gratitude is often underrated, especially when it comes to how much it changes our emotional trajectory.

Today, I will purposefully look for things to celebrate - large or small. My focus will be to find things to thank God for as I wait on Him to provide. I'll meditate on His presence, which never leaves me. I'll turn my thoughts to how He watches over us and cares for even the small stuff. And I will trust Him for one more day. Will you join me?

                                                                                                                                          

How We Wait

 As I continued reading through the Psalms this morning, I noticed that "waiting" on God came up many times. David often declares that he will wait on God. Sometimes, he was waiting on deliverance or answers. Other times, he was waiting for direction, peace, or victory. I was a little surprised at how many times I read the phrase, even though I talk about waiting on God a lot myself.

In the last few verses of Psalm 25, for instance, David declares that he will trust God and that he would wait on Him. These two waiting and trusting seem to go hand in hand. I may feel completely full of trust for God until I have to wait on Him. Maybe it's all wrapped up in how we wait.

When I get worked up about an issue - caregiving, finances, relationships - it's harder to wait on God. I am a bit hyper and active by nature, so I'm always trying to "do." But sometimes, the most progress is made when I can settle myself down and wait for God to act on my behalf. But that doesn't mean it's easy - just because I know it and declare it. Trusting and waiting are so intertwined they are inseparable.

Abraham got anxious, and so did Sarah. They ended up with a bundle of trouble instead of waiting on the promise. However, as I get older, I get that. I know God is not on a time schedule, but I know my time is limited, and I need to see Him act! Lol. Samson didn't wait on God. Instead, he got all tangled up with Delilah. His emotions were not into waiting on anything, and it cost him his life essentially. Jesus, as He walked here on this earth, waited on the Father. He even said I don't do anything I don't see my Father doing. He waited on the Father's actions before He did anything. Jesus walked in total peace. He was so full of peace, He walked out to the disciples' boat in the middle of a violent storm. Oh, did I mention He was literally walking across the water to get to them? Wow, right? 

In the middle of the storm, Jesus had total peace as He worked His way out to the disciples that night. As soon as Jesus (and Peter) got into the boat, the storm calmed. (Matthew 14:32) The other disciples just sat and waited on Him to get there. It was worth the wait because of the peace they experienced once He was in the boat. We can draw some parallels here. When we wait for Him - peace will come. But it won't necessarily come until He's in our boat with us.

Today, I will remind myself that Jesus is in my boat, and He's not going to jump ship! Sometimes, it can feel like we are in the middle of a stormy sea, in the middle of the night, and our boat is rocking back and forth. But one thing is sure - He is with us. I'll remind myself to wait for His peace today. David commanded his soul to wait for God. I think we can do the same thing. I will wait for Him today instead of getting ahead of what He is doing. Will you join me?

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