In the Desert

[ Psalm 63 ] [ A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah. ] You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

Psalm 63:1NIV

We all understand what this scripture meant to David for he was residing in both a spiritual and physical desert at the time this was penned.  The question I pose to you today is what does this verse speak to your life and your circumstances?  

Unfortunately, I will admit one of the only things I worry about in my life from time to time and experience anxiety from is that of my family's finances.  The enemy works to convince me that it is my obligation and responsibility to provide for my family and that I can never do enough for them in that area.  The truth is it God has not given this task to me for it belongs to Him alone.  Now, yes, I will work and do my part for God honors this but He continues to remind me that He is my family's provider.  So for me, the water within this scripture represents money.

Yes, I actually said the word that Christians don't like to address or confess.  Instead of looking for money in my dry parched bank account, I need to seek God first and keep my eyes on Him.  If and when I am wise enough to do that, He takes care of all our family's financial needs.  He has done it over and over in our family's past and will never leave us or forsake us in the days to come.  

So today I made the choice to focus on Jesus and all He has done, is doing, and will do in my life instead of what I don't have or worry that I won't be able to do.  If He calls me He will equip me.

Blessed Are You

 

Matthew 5:11  “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me."

  

For years I would read this scripture and wondered if Jesus was confused or maybe fatigued from a journey when He made this statement.  Being blessed in my mind could never include insults, persecution, and lies against me.  The problem remained that I continued to miss the most critical portion of the verse which was "because of me."  

I now understand that if another casts an insult or lie against me because I serve and love Jesus Christ, it really is a blessing.  No, not in the way the world defines a blessing but most definitely the way in which heaven sees it.  Remember, when we are obedient to the commands and direction of the Lord, the devil will act quickly in order to derail us and his most used weapons are insults, persecution, and lies.  The Word of God tell us that he is the father of lies.  

What a shock it would be to the next person who insults, persecutes, or lies about you when you confront them by thanking them for the blessing!  What a great way to steal their power to hurt you.  You can do it with the strength of the Lord if only you ask for it.  Jesus is our greatest defender and always will be.  Leave it to Him and forgive.

When a Caregiver Gets Sick

 He gives us strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” —Isaiah 40:29–31

What happens to those being cared for when the caregiver is sick?  This is something that we don't think about until it happens but when it does it isn't pretty.  I always say, "I am not allowed to be sick or feel bad."  In actuality that is true for most caregivers, for they must continue on and make sure things get done. 

One example of this would be our family's last vacation where my husband and I both became very sick with sinus infections.  We both sought help at a local urgent care and were both placed on high power antibiotics and encouraged to rest.  Well, for a heart patient this was twice as serious and my husband felt twice as bad which meant he rested in the hotel room for 2 days.  We even tried to cancel our trip but were told we would lose our money, so we stuck it out. 

For three days I took my antibiotics and pain meds and walked around amusement parks and even spent one day at a water park all for the sake of my 11 year old who was supposed to be celebrating her birthday!  I was miserable and don't remember parts of it, which is a little scary, but I did what I had to do.  That's what caregivers do... even when they're sick.

By Thursday of our week's vacation my husband and I were both a little better and were able to salvage the last few days.  I learned a lot that week.  I learned that caregivers never really get a vacation but I wouldn't have done it any differently even if given the chance.  I take care of my family better than anyone else ever will and there are lots more vacations in our future. 

Ready for Rain

1 Kings 18:41-19:8

Elijah Prays for Rain

41 Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go get something to eat and drink, for I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!”

42 So Ahab went to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees.

43 Then he said to his servant, “Go and look out toward the sea.”

The servant went and looked, then returned to Elijah and said, “I didn’t see anything.”

Seven times Elijah told him to go and look. 44 Finally the seventh time, his servant told him, “I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea.”

Then Elijah shouted, “Hurry to Ahab and tell him, ‘Climb into your chariot and go back home. If you don’t hurry, the rain will stop you!’”

45 And soon the sky was black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm, and Ahab left quickly for Jezreel. 46 Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt[a] and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel.

It was imperative that I include this entire section of scripture in order to really bring my point home. Today I began to prepare for a something that won't happen until three weeks from now.  Even though I don't know the final outcome I believe God is saying yes and continuing to confirm what is ahead.  So I am acting as if it is already decided and I am moving forward.

One of my dearest friends called me today and when I told her what I was doing she didn't laugh but instead said, "You are being like Elijah. You are just preparing for the rain which God has promised!" What a blessing this comment was to my heart for I struggle daily with doubts and fears about the future and what God truly wants for me.  

Elijah must have looked pretty foolish as he proclaimed the rain was coming and that Ahab was to go ahead and prepare when not one cloud filled the sky.  How odd it had to have been to the servant who went SEVEN times to look for a rain cloud until finally one was found.  What an amazing example Elijah is for me as he never doubted but instead spent his time in preparation and in the end we see that, "the Lord gave special strength to Elijah." I want that same strength and know God will give it if I only ask.

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

This scripture in its entirety hangs in my daughter's room as a reminder of who she is in the eyes of the King of Kings.  She was created and designed to be unlike anyone else on the planet so that she alone could accomplish works for the Master which no one else could ever do quite like her.  The very things she feels are her "problems" are in fact what makes her even more fearfully and wonderfully made.

She has always been small in size, which to many was seen from her very beginning as a negative.  On the contrary God has used her size to her advantage.  Because she is petite people take notice when they hear her speak for her intellect far exceeds her years.  They ask her how old she is which gives her an audience and a platform to be heard.  What may have been seen as a negative God uses as the very thing which attracts people into her arena of attention.

She prefers working alone and hates large crowds of people.  "Oh, this is not good for her." we have heard over the years.  "She needs to be with other kids more!" is another we have grown to ignore.  The fact is that God created in her a personality which thrives from independent work which He then uses in amazing one-on-one ways.  The fact is she likes all age people.  Her best friend this summer was a 75 year old woman at the pool who she talked with and exchanged gifts with.  She also loves small children and they love her back.  And don't get me started on her numerous "college aged" friends who adore her.  She asked me one day why people thought all her friends had to be her age and I told her I wasn't sure. 

She doesn't like athletics.  Now, in her defense she has tried soccer, cheer-leading, and volleyball at some point throughout her childhood only to discover none of these activities gave her heart joy.  She is a creative spirit who loves pottery, baking, collecting crazy things, crafting, painting, and more.  She's also incredibly talented at creating video tutorials on just about anything. What I love is that unlike most kids her age, she shares the things she creates or bakes with others in our apartment building or neighborhood.  Now that's special.

And finally there's having Tourette Syndrome.  To learn more about this visit this link http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/tourette/index.html.  Due to this disorder she has involuntary "tics" or movements.  As well as the physical issues that accompany this disorder she also combats things such as anxiety and obsessive compulsive behaviors.  And due to the anxiety and not to mention having a dad who has fought for his life against heart failure for the past 9 years, she has separation anxiety which she is constantly made fun of for from others.  The way in which she handles all this is just incredible.  She has overcome great odds. But what's hard are those who don't know how to handle it.  When family and educators don't "get it" it can cause great pain for her which stays with her.  Being made fun of because of things you cannot help is heartless and should never happen, but it has.  I believe that God will use her pain and being misunderstood by so many as a catalyst for helping others with Tourette Syndrome in the future.

So I end today by saying that God allows me to raise young lady who I know He will continue to use in BIG ways.  I also pray that she understand HE thinks she is fearfully and wonderfully made and because of that His love and support is eternal.

The Recliner Always Wins

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

During this past week I spent two days and one night with my Dad who underwent surgery to remove a cancerous kidney.  While attempting to rest beside his bed in a hospital recliner I realized that serving God does NOT always mean it will be comfortable or something I enjoy.  Many times I am called into frightening and difficult circumstances which force me to step outside of my comfort zone.

I learned years ago, during many of my husband's hospital stays, that no matter how nice the recliner appears or how far it reclines, you will NOT get a decent night's sleep in one of those contraptions!  The recliner always wins no matter how hard you try or how many pillows you use.  It is not comfortable but it is where a caregiver finds him/herself on many an occasion.  This is the place we hope to rest but instead we find it to be a place we would love to leave and not deal with.

On Tuesday night when I first laid back in the hospital recliner I knew it was not going to be easy but I really didn't care for my location was most important.  This uncomfortable recliner placed me right beside my Daddy so that I could hear his voice when he called.  Serving our heavenly Father is the VERY same way.  When we chose to get close to Him in order to hear His call and then serve Him, it can become very uncomfortable.  It takes a child who is dedicated and loves the Father in order to remain in that uncomfortable place, but in the end the rewards from His call and our service always outweigh the discomfort and the pain.

Rest?... Really?

 

Mark 6:31

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

I read this scripture and it sounds so good.  I think of places of rest I enjoy such as snuggled in my chair with a blanket and a hot cup of coffee.  While this picture seems wonderful the reality is that as I sit in my chair I hear my daughter calling for me from down the hall.  As the delicious coffee reaches my lips my sweet dog jumps into my lap and I struggle to keep the coffee in the cup.  Just about the time I try for the third time to settle in, I hear my husband call me.  Now don't get me wrong.  I adore my daughter, my husband and even that ball of fur, but it can be frustrating to be so needed in the midst of desiring a few quiet moments of rest.

As a caregiver, this increases in intensity and can become even more overwhelming.  The average caregiver will eagerly share with you that they are not "allowed" to rest or have time for themselves.  I understand that feeling fully and unfortunately have made that very same statement many times over the past 9 years as a caregiver.  You spend so much time doing things for others that you and your time of rest can become lost in the list of "to dos".  At the end of the day you meant to spend some quiet moments with the Savior but somehow it just didn't happen.

Rest may not come in the form of a week long vacation.  It may be only 10 minutes alone and you may have to work really hard to make even this short amount of time happen, but please, try for it is worth it.  Jesus tells us in Mark chapter 6 that He wants us to come and be with Him in a quiet place in order to rest.  What a beautiful picture I begin to imagine.  Resting with Jesus sounds like the ultimate yet we are too busy to take Him up on His offer.   Let's make a point in the days to come to find a few moments to spend with the One who gave His all for you and me.