I’ve commanded you to be brave and strong, haven’t I? Don’t be alarmed or terrified, because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.—JOSHUA 1:9 (CEB)
For years, we had asked my mother-in-law to move across the country to live near us, but she wanted to stay in her own home. Then she took a rapid downturn, and I flew out to see her. I discovered she would need 24/7 in-home help, including twice-daily monitoring of vital signs, weight and oxygen levels, in addition to daily adjustments of medications and oxygen. She did improve but still she would need constant assistance.
My wife talks to her mother several times daily but given my professional experience with healthcare systems, I volunteered to oversee her medical care, something I would have to do remotely. With nanny-cams, e-mail, texts and phone calls, I spend several hours each day to make sure that new staff are properly oriented, doctor appointments are kept, medications are correctly administered and that my mother-in-law enjoys an optimal quality of life. Still, when crises arise it is very hard to be so far away.
That’s when I turn to God’s promise to Joshua: The Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Nanny-cams can’t see everything. God can, whether we’re there or not.
Dear God, help me remember that, no matter how far away I am from my loved one, your “local address” is close beside them.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”—Matthew 11:28–30 (NLT)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.—1 John 1:9 (NIV)
Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.—1 Thessalonians 4:11 (NLT)
