What God brings you to, God takes you through ❤
No doubt about it, the love flows. The scriptures are flowing through the Spiritual veins like a critically connected IV drip to your soul. You are committed to this life in Jesus. You are committed to the call upon your life. You know the commitment He has made to you.
There is commitment, love, and dependency on God. There is seeking Him diligently, there is sanctifying the Believers life in the caregiving role.
There is weariness. When a caregiver is weary, this is not due to lack of love or commitment, it’s simply weary. Exhausted.
Jesus said: “come, I will give you rest…” Matthew 11:28-30
There are many ways in which God can and will provide rest. Spiritually speaking as well as many practical ways.
But no matter what, caregiving day in and out will equate to moments, or days of weariness. It’s just part of the labor of love package. Depending on the level of care and needs. When we are called to caregiving, along with other daily callings, it’s a big deal. It requires much. It’s more than our flesh can handle, but with God, by His Spirit, is how we live. Zech 4:6
Caregiving can feel all-consuming and it is, and at times, we may feel inadequate for the task. Especially when we are sleep deprived or other physical, mental, emotional, contributing factors, it can add to our overwhelming ability to really see clearly how God really is carrying and sustaining us. Placing daily reminders in our paths with the scriptures can reassure of God’s presence and will help keep our minds stayed on Him while continuing the labor of love – it may even alleviate the “laborious” feelings and will lighten the load emotionally, always equip us Spiritually to carry on in faith in Him.
Yesterday, God led me down a path to an actual sign! I took up opportunity to get out to breathe in some fresh morning sunshine and walk anywhere God would take me. I ended up at 7-11 for a coffee. Not my typical coffee joint, but it was sheer joy to have a little quiet time, grab a pumpkin coffee as a sneak preview to Fall soon approaching. I took a different and less typical path home. And I saw a sign! A bright vividly colored sign! It was at a senior living and skilled care community right across the street from our home. It honors the dedicated people who serve there. It is there, meant for the dedicated employees, but I totally took it as an encouragement, and that God had me there for a reason to read, as well as an encouragement for all caregivers near and far. I know devoted care givers are not seeking any pats on the back or yahoos at all. I personally am not. I am writing this now, only because God put it on my heart to write and share, in seeking to encourage someone else out there who might need this right now or for the future.
I have needed some encouragement lately and I actually awoke this morning and literally googled, Christian encouragement for caregivers. I read a couple wonderful articles that validated, empathized, and from people who obviously have walked the path of caregiving in their homes. People who depend on the Word of God, depend on relationship with Him. It’s nice to meet someone who has been there, even if it is through writing.
Writers, care givers, expressing my same heart. The love that runs so deep, and the desire to do well, the acknowledgment that this journey is hard and it’s okay and we should feel safe to say “I am weary today”. That by seeking God diligently, and continuing to persevere in Christ, there is reward.
Seeing this sign, was a blessing today. It has words that resonate the exact words God has been putting on my heart to continue to be, and challenging me to grow in to greater – from faith to faith. Strength to strength. “be strong”- “Courageous”- “do not be afraid” – “Dedicated” – “Persevere in love” – “be compassionate”
Jesus gave it all to save me. He has a perfect way and lived a perfect example. He is flawless. He is acquainted with the caregiving life.
Jesus’ love throughout the scriptures-Perfect love. He is God. Authority, assertiveness, strong words and tones at times, in pure kindness, patience, humility, long suffering. Firm. Meek. Speaking truth. Standing for righteousness. Compassionate. Tears over sin and sorrow over the struggles of men’s hearts in this world. Washing feet. Dying on a cross. Rising again to give life. He gives a Believer everything we need, in all the pertains to this life and our specific calling, by His Word, and as the God Who Provides.
The bible is a manual for life. I have found it the lifeline for my own needs, for marriage, family, home schooling, discipling, caregiving, more. It takes time to search and seek His ways for standards of our own lives and the standards He calls us to for our homes. It’s all in there, inside our bibles, and in relationship with God.
For a Believer in Christ, this same balance of perfect love in caregiving is sought after. We are not perfect. We are doing the best we can. God is Perfect and in our imperfections, as we rely more and more on Christ’s power that literally resides within and rests on us, in weakness, we get to see His glory, His strength, His grace sufficient.
He gives us treasures along the way. Most importantly His Word. A praying friend. A literal sign (somedays!), an encouraging note in the mail from an almost stranger, with the ties of unity of love in the family of Jesus Christ the Lord.
It can feel intimidating facing new endeavors that we want so much to do well and please God in, yet we find it really, really hard, and can begin to question how we are doing. These are a few scriptures (amongst a zillion) I am enjoying currently.
1) Don’t be intimidated by the circumstances. Get more truth. Cling to His Words. Get more Jesus! See His all encompassing love and truth in action, on the pages of scriptures and be a good student, and learn to do the same.
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Tim. 1:7
2) Remember our faith pleases Him. We are diligently seeking Him, He will reward.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Heb. 11:6
3) Remember He sees and knows.
“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become [b]sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Heb. 6:10-12
As we put our faith into action and show love out of obedience, when the love of God is our motivation, we will naturally do what He calls us to do. We will seek and trust in Him.
We will experience His transforming work. To Him be the glory!
Serving In Christs Love. Everyone is someone.
