Last week was a week of emotions and circumstances all over the spectrum for this writer. Is not that the way life tends to flow? Yet it is usually not all in the same week, as it was for me that week. Yet through it all in the joys and sorrows the Lord's beautiful presence is with us. Do you believe that and rest in that, dear caregiver?
Last week for me brought warm expressions of love from others on my birthday. It also brought a circumstance in my life which made me feel sad and vulnerable. After a day of struggle God gave me a measure of peace/joy about this situation in the midst of the still sad feelings. The Lord also blessed me with devotions that spoke so amazingly to the point of my discouragement. God is an amazing God. Then later in the week something unexpected occurred which may change every thing again for the good in that situation. I do not know this will change this for certain, but I do know my Lord is in control.
Last week another experience occurred, however. This was an awesome Ephesians 3:20 experience. My family care-giving experiences and God's grace through it all was featured in an article on the front page of our local newspaper. This story is not just my story, however, dear caregiver. It is YOUR story as well. It is OUR story. It is a story which educates others about the struggles of family care-giving, but it is also a story which tells others about the strength which can be found in the Lord through it all. So I am excited about this story being told, because of my love for you, dear caregiver.
If you want to read this article you can go here for the web edition: http://www.sheboyganpress.com/story/news/local/2014/08/26/caregiver/14628253/ I also have a picture posted above of how it looked in the print and e-paper version!
God is an amazing God who sees us through all our mountaintop experiences and valley experiences. We grow spiritually, however, through our valley experiences. Family care-giving teaches us that. Our best experiences on this earth are not perfection, because we do not live in a perfect world. As someone recently said there is no "happily ever after" in this life but only in eternity. Yet our most difficult experiences are also always blessed with the Lord's presence, grace, and love. Yes, we serve an amazing God. Rest in that dear caregiver!
Now on another note I recently had a sweet online friend offer to donate my book, DEAR CAREGIVER Reflections for Family Caregivers, to someone who reads my blog post. She wishes to remain anonymous, but has extended this kind offer. So here are the conditions. The book will be sent to some individual who makes a comment in the comment section below. Please share an experience about God's grace in your life as a family caregiver AND also send me your home address in a separate e-mail to me at jesuschild54@hotmail.com The person or person who does that will have a chance to receive a free book. If there is more than one person who makes a comment, I will draw a name out of a hat.
The first thing that came to mind is how the Lord has used caregiving as a way to draw me closer to Him in prayer. I have been pushed beyond my own natural resources many times and he has given grace to draw me to prayer for His help and it always brings me peace. I find myself going to Him in prayer more and more these past years. I am realizing that I can do nothing without Him and I'm finding more joy when I lean on His strength, His peace, His wisdom!
ReplyDeleteThank you Georgene, for your comments! Caregiving does indeed teach the importance of prayer and dependence on the Lord. Self-reliance never works.
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