June Caregiver's Fellowship

This month we decided on a picnic-caregiver’s fellowship. Things have been chaotic in many of our lives, and so this respite was a real welcome in our hurried world. We sat, we chatted we laughed. Our table had enough food to feed a troop. Everyone out did themselves. And Margaret, well - she wasn’t able to stay, but she was so sweet and brought us “authentic Scottish shortbread”! – what love! Thank you Margaret.

Lots of things were shared and mentioned that will make their way into individual posts. They are helpful and relevant to all caregivers – watch for them.

Ida’s devotion was wonderful – the LORD is always faithful to His Word:

“Quiet Pool” from Come Away My Beloved
Wait upon ME.
Let your life be as a deep, quiet pool.
Let your heart rest in My hand as a bird in a nest.
Let your eyes be still. Let your hands be free.
(Ida’s note: This is where we are able to hear Him the best.)
For then I shall fill all your vision, and then I shall take your hands into Mine and My power shall flow forth into you.

If you would only make yourself a place apart, yes, removed
from the pressure and turmoil, and there I will meet you. Yes, I wait for your
coming. For I long to pour out My blessings upon you, and I long to give you My
fullness(Ida’s note: No one or thing can offer this). Only be still before Me.
Never let the toils and cares of the day rob you of this sweet fellowship with
Me.(Ida’s note: He desires to meet with us all the time!)

(Ida's note: love story) For I know what you need, and I am concerned abut your duties and responsibilities.
You will find your cares vanish, and your load is
lightened by an unseen hand: I would have you bring Me your love, and even as
you are bringing Me your love, I shall in turn bring to you My power, so that I
work for you in a twofold measure.

I will give you the power to discharge your duties with greater efficiency. I am actively engaged in working for you in ways you cannot see, to make your path clear, and to bring about things you could never accomplish, and which would otherwise absorb your energies and wear out your patience. (Ida’s note: we are not in control.)

So I say again…Rest in Me. Wait upon Me.
Come apart with Me. Seek My
face. Seek My fellowship.

O Lord, what shame that You should need to beg
us thus! Better that others might find us unavailable because of our occupation
with You, rather than for us to be so slow to come, so dull to hear, so cold of
heart, so indolent of soul. (Ida’s note: Where are our priorities?)

O God, spare us Your wrath!
Do not let Your anger be kindled against us.
Let us ask only one thing more, and do not turn away.

Grant this one prayer more, O Lord, that You would give us all that is lacking in us; intensify our hunger and fire our devotion (Ida’s note: during a storm!) take the
indifference from our spirits; and have within us Your wonderful way and perfect
will (Ida’s note: our daily prayer), O God, we pray. Amen.

(After reading the above Ida continued with her thoughts) We need to practice this quiet place, because when our thoughts are flooded and our hearts are pounding it is very difficult to hear our Father’s voice. He has so much to
tell us, to show us. No one or thing on this earth can offer the fullness that
He has to give. He desires to meet with us, every minute of the day. That blows
me away, I don’t know anyone that wants to put up with me to that degree! He is
concerned with what worries us, what hurts us and He wants to take it away, make
it “vanish” as the book says. Wow!

(Mark 4:35-41) He (Jesus) slept so peacefully in the midst of the storm. He had such great faith that our Father had it all under control. Often we hear ourselves say, “God’s in control”, but how often do our actions express it? I know that whenever I try to take control of things I fall right on my face.

God should never have to call on us to get our attention, we should be running! Running to Him for all things. If we would daily attempt to be in His perfect will our devotion with Him would become intensified, we will be hungry and on fire for Him. And the amount of time we spend with Him will show when those storms come. How are we handling it? Are we freaking out? Or is there peace and calmness?

Psalm 55:16-18, 22 – As for me, I will call upon God, and the LORD shall save me. Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice. He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me…Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 37:7 – Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him
(something I do not always find easy to do – wait patiently.)

So once again we walked away refreshed, renewed and ready for the journey ahead.