The covenant God made with His people is an assurance and guarantee of tender, resolute and enduring love for all of us. This word told through the prophet Isaiah in a time of great trial, gave comfort and continues to help all of us to focus on God’s security, despite any difficult circumstances. Because we belong to God, we are safe and secure in God’s loving arms.
When the Old Testament prophet Isaiah wrote the scripture, he prophesied to a nation whose families would know the horrors of discord, attacks, defeat and exile. As caretakers we have horrors of our own – frequent hospitalizations, surgeries, treatments, cranky loved ones, guilt that we can’t do it all, exhaustion and much more. We do all we can to help, but it doesn’t seem to be enough to appease. Can we receive God’s gift of love and allow ourselves to be filled with the peace that flows from this unfailing love? If we ‘know’ we are loved, this will be easier. However, if we are still struggling to believe God loves us just the way we are, then we need to pray to understand the depths of this great love.
Reflecting on the following scripture may assist in understanding. Ephesians 3:17-19, “And that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, that you rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with the fullness of God.” Our faith journey often takes us places we would not choose to go and yet the realization of unshakeable love carries us through suffering and uncertainty.
Perhaps it’s commonplace to think, as a caregiver, we’re not supposed to be angry. Realistically who isn’t, at the unfairness and overwhelming magnitude of this role. While we can take a moment in silence to receive an infusion of God’s love and mercy, we pray we do not drop into the realms of self-pity. Of course, everyone has their ‘moments’ there. As we lean on the Lord, who promises to be there for us, we go forward with renewed hope. “Hope means to keep living amid desperation and to keep humming in the darkness.” (Henri Nouwen, noted spiritual author.)
In her “Showings,” St. Julian of Norwich (14 th century mystic) calls “God our clothing, who wraps and enfolds us in a tender love. God, she says, never promised that we wouldn’t be tempest-tossed and frightened. He did promise He will never let us go.” We are invited to pray this Poem by Edwina Gateley, titled ‘Let Your God Love You’ “Be silent. Be still. Alone. Empty before God. Say nothing. Ask nothing. Be silent. Be still. Let your God look upon you. That is all. God knows. God understands. God loves you with an enormous love, and only wants to look upon you with that love. Quiet. Still. Be. Let your God – Love you.”