Humid Hope for Heavy Hearts

Humidity. For those who grew up in it, it can feel like a warm, cozy blanket in the depths of summer. It sometimes feels like you are swimming through the air. If traveling or returning from a more dry climate, you might feel like you can’t breathe because the air is so thick.
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Today, as I rested for a few moments in my hammock, I thought about how my current circumstances kind-of resemble humidity. (I know another strange parallel from Jenn).

In the same way I have heard people say, “I don’t know how you can breathe in this weather [humidity],” I've also heard people say things like, “I don’t know how you do it,” - relating to full-time caretaking including finding creative ways to lift, move and process while staying somewhat together with Josh’s current situation and not crying all the time. Honestly, I'm not sure how either.

I suppose, much like the weather, all of it starts to become part of me, and together we move forward day by day, minute by minute.

Of course, caring for a loved one in an intense situation does not offer the same cozy feelings that a humid summer day might, but there is something about it that does feel natural. Like in some way, God has prepared me for this season (and I truly believe he has). And even in it, he continues to offer hope and guidance.

Of course, there are down and out days. There are times when I feel like I can’t breathe from the weight of it all, when my worry is in hyperdrive. Yet even in these moments, I pause . . . take a big deep breath and lift my heart and eyes up. I can’t help but think of the verses found in Psalm 121:

I lift up my eyes to the mountains--
where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

As I continue to read the rest of the chapter, a new layer of peace fills my heavy heart. This peace, wraps around me like a cozy, humid, summer day in the Midwest and I am once again grateful for a God who watches over my life and of the life of my husband who I so dearly love.

In the same way, God is with you in whatever season or circumstance you are facing. He watches over each of us, in a much less creepy way than the old Police song, "Every Breath You Take" but rather as one who loves and cares deeply about the details of our lives. And for that I am thankful.

". . . the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."


Psalm 121 | A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains--
where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip--
he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you--
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm--
he will watch over your life;

8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

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