“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”—Psalm 51:10 (ESV)

Last week I wrote about how easy it is for me to focus on a situation and lose sight of God’s presence in my day, but when I start praising God for all my blessings big and small, it redirects my mind to find God in my circumstances.

I love God’s perfect timing in prompting me to write about it. Not only did my blog speak to one of my good friends on Monday, but God was also preparing me for some upcoming setbacks.

Between teaching my mom how to use her new phone specifically designed for those with memory issues and trying to find a new neurologist for her, I was encountering quite a bit of frustration. After her doctor visit on Thursday, I was feeling a bit defeated. Unfortunately, it was not a good fit for us.

As I was leaving her facility, the residential director was in the common area. I know God placed her there at that exact time for me. I approached her and shared what I had experienced at her doctor appointment. She agreed that we needed to find someone else. I asked if she knew of any she could recommend. She said she would check with one of the memory nurses.

And….if this wasn’t enough, on Saturday evening when I volunteered at church, I was paired with a younger woman who had been medical power of attorney for her father whose illness led to a type of dementia. It came up, when I pulled out my phone and said, “my mom who has Alzheimer’s may return my call.”  She responded, “I totally understand. I had to help care for my father who had something similar and I know how emotionally exhausting it gets.”

Her dad was younger and his illness was more complicated, but the burden of his care was primarily on her. The enemy was wanting me to feel guilty for feeling emotionally exhausted at the end of this week. The lies he was feeding me were; You just wrote about finding joy despite your circumstances. You must not be praising God enough. What is wrong with you? You should be finding more joy in your mom’s care.

In His loving kindness, another sister in Christ gave me the needed validation for the feelings I was experiencing. Not just that, when I shared some of my mother’s characteristics prior to her being sick, she told me I was describing her father. She truly did understand my situation. I hadn’t stopped giving thanks to God for the sprinkles of joy He was and is still giving me, but the enemy wanted me to doubt my faith.

No matter what, God can be trusted with His timing and chance encounters. Both good and bad experiences grow our faith. They shape us into the person God has created us to be. God is always doing something. Only God can create in me a right spirit.

You may want to escape your present reality, but I have found these are the times my faith deepens the most. I know there is nothing I can do to change the situation with my mother. I have had to lean on God. Surrendering to Him hasn’t changed the circumstances, but it has changed my heart. It draws me near to Him and renews my outlook on life.

Father God,

I pray for peace of mind and heart for all the things going on in my life. I know You are working on my behalf. You are in control of all situations. I praise You that I can rest in Your Son’s power to make me strong. Thank You for Your love, grace and mercy which renews my mind and spirit. Help me to follow where You are leading even when it doesn’t make sense. I give You praise for chance encounters that have lifted my weary soul. I pray these things in Your Precious Son’s name, Jesus. Amen.

May Verse

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”—James 5:16.

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