Hiding...

Receiving the calling of caregiver comes with all sorts of trials. Misunderstanding people (even those who profess to be believers) have no problem criticizing the wisdom of your actions. Those who are unfamiliar with our situation will give advice, even though it has not been solicited! A caregiver receives looks of apathy, sympathy, disgust, and everything in between! Even those who love you the best will often disagree with your approach to life!

When the world comes at us with such great velocity, we feel we will be crushed and broken. That is the time to hasten to the arms of the Father!

Psalm 91 is such a great comfort in our times of distress. Verses 2-5:

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust; his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor the arrow that flieth by day;

Oh what a great image of the loving Father tucking His children under His wings to protect them from danger!

In times when I have been deeply distressed, I have closed my eyes and envisioned myself entering the throne room of the Creator of the Universe and crawling up into His lap and being encircled by His powerful yet loving arms. It is there that I find the courage to continue on, even though others might attack or injure my spirit, wittingly or otherwise!

Dear Heavenly Father, let us learn that when the attacks come, we must run to You for You are our refuge. Please give us the strength to withstand the attacks from the adversary; help us always to remember that You are far greater than he who administers the blows. Make us realize that every attack against us does not make us any less favored in Your eyes; help us to understand that in coming to You, You find pleasure in us. Lord, we were created in Your image, for Your good pleasure, and I pray that we will learn that Your strength is all we need. Help us to see that You are our great defender and let us find rest in You alone!

Obedience, Sacrifice, and Little Children

Sometimes it seems like the Lord gives us just too much. Much more than we can possibly handle. If you are like me, you nearly faint at the thought of being overwhelmed by big things or too many things! I often wonder to myself, "Why can't things go on as they have?"

Growing in the Lord means that we have to be refined and often re-refined! A stubborn heart that is unyielding is of no use in the Lord's ecomony! We need to be flexible and willing to bend. It is so much easier to understand for those of us who have parented children!

When I first heard a teaching that obedience is better than sacrifice to God, it blew my mind. I had no idea what that meant. Isn't God all about Christians giving til it hurts? Isn't making sacrifices what God wants from us?

Then I had children!

Oh boy, talk about a lesson being brought to mind! Suddenly, I knew exactly what this teaching meant! Oh, it is lovely getting a hand full of wild daisies handed to you from a chubby little hand, but when those flowers are picked in disobedience, a real chord is struck! Disobedience is a terrible thing. A child often has no sense of danger and when he or she haphazzardly wanders about with no regard to warnings issued, and then disregards the warnings, it breaks our hearts as parents. How much moreso do we break the very heart of God when we choose to follow our own "instincts" instead of heeding the Will of God?

Many times, following God's perfect plan for our lives is simple and not too painful. Other times, it seems like the Lord is handing out more than our fair portion, especially when we see others living on "Easy Street". May we keep our eyes on Him and not look to the right, or the left! May we seek to follow after the Master and do His good will! May we beome as little children, trusting, trusting, trusting! May we have a faith that carries us through, no matter what!

Lord, I pray that you will give us hearts that are willing to follow after you. Teach us to come just like little children, completely trusting, and knowing that Your ways are much better than our own. Help us not to stumble or be tempted by the world and its ways. Show us that your way is the much better way. As we reach out our spirtual hand to You, please hold it and lead us in the way we should go...in Your paths of righteousness. Thank you, Lord for being the loving and Holy Father that you are. Thank you for your patience when we stumble and make mistakes. Thank you that you do not merely throw us aside, but wait for us until we return. Thank you, Lord, for second chances! Please make your presence known in our lives and give us a confidence that we know You are always there, waiting just like a parent awaits a little child! Thank you, Lord for who You are. Make us to walk in Your ways!

They that wait upon the Lord...

shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40: 30-31

Have you ever seen an eagle up close? I have! It all happened this summer!


My husband bought our kids and me each a little inflatable kayak after I expressed a desire to go canoeing on the lake. The lake is located only about three or four miles from our house, so it would be something we could enjoy quite a bit in the summer. There is a lovely boat launch just a short distance from home, and there is a special little area that is perfect for launching out little boats.

We went out on the lake several times when we began to take notice of an eagle that frequently perched high in a tree overlooking the lake. As I got more and more confident in my skills with the little kayak, Mark encouraged me to take my point and shoot camera with me to take photos of this most impressive bird!

As my son and I went out paddling one afternoon, we made our way right to the tree where the eagle watched us, not budging an inch, nor showing any signs of distress. The huge bird sat and looked down on us, then went about its business as though we weren't even there!

I took a few pictures of the eagle and it is amazing any turned out; I felt so honored, so blessed, that I could come so close to this bird that is so incredible, it is mentioned in the Scriptures! I was feeling so shaky as I pressed the shutter button. After taking my photos, I just sat for a few minutes, feeling overwhelmed by my proximity to the bird.

After this "close encounter", I often stopped by the lake to see if the eagle was there. Because I had seen this bird up close, I felt an attachment to it.

When these birds mount up on wings, there is no mistaking them for any other bird. The white head, white feathers on the tail, and vast size make them highly distinguishable. They are spectacular to watch in flight, particularly as they swoop down to the water and grab up a fish with seemingly no effort involved.

The promise in the above verse of Scripture means so much to me after being in the presence of an eagle. These birds are so unique and powerful...when God promises to renew our strength like that of the eagle, we should be impressed. The hardest part, though, is the waiting. No one wants to wait; however, God's promise is a big one. If we are able to just sit tight, our rewards will be great!

Lord, I pray that when I want to run ahead of your timing and doing things your way, I will remember your great promise and find rest in You. Help me to realize it is You who is the giver of life and that You want the best for me. Help me to wait upon You so that I might be renewed and mount up on wings and soar!