I waited, waited for the Lord;

who bent down and heard my cry.

Drew me out of the pit of destruction,

out of the mud of the swamp,

Set my feet upon rock,

steadied my steps.

And put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn to our God.

Psalms 40:1-4

Some illness are short in duration. Others are long. Alzheimer’s disease can be a very long trial, and those who care for loved ones or relative strangers with Alzheimer’s disease can become worn down from the journey that does not get easier as it lasts for years.  These giving caregivers might feel dragged down by their work, decimated by fatigue, and in every way possible-  empty.

Amazing how this reading from Psalms recognizes the despair that people can feel, and yet find words of encouragement during the most trying of times:  God is working, drawing us up and out of our despair, taking all the heaviness of our hearts and giving us a new song. How do we allow ourselves to accept this grace?

Sometimes, allowing the fresh breath of grace to comfort us is as easy as consciously turning our thoughts from how harsh our lives are to simply reflecting on God’s goodness, on the small blessings He brings that we might have overlooked, on listening not to the cacophony of sound in our world, but rather to more soothing music.

These might not seem like significant ways to make a great transformation from mired and downtrodden to lifted up. But in small things can come great gifts. And one of the greatest of these is grace.

Blessings for the day,

Maureen