40 Faces, 40 Places: A Devotional JourneySample

Iris from Nottinghamshire

Sometimes whole-life discipleship looks like finding opportunity in difficult circumstances.

I am the primary caregiver for my husband, who has long-term Parkinson’s disease. We also have carers who come in the morning and the evening.

I cannot get out as much as I would like to speak to people, so it’s good I can build a relationship with those who come to look after my husband. Although they don’t have much time after washing or dressing him, there is usually something happening in their lives they share with me.

My faith is essential to my sanity. I feel isolated at times, but I am content to blossom where God has put me. I had an especially exciting evening with one girl – she had been to two funerals in one week, and it was so good to talk about my faith with her.

Reflection

Some of our frontlines are not the places we hoped and prayed for. Sometimes our daily reality is the opposite of our best dreams, but God can turn around a difficult situation for good like Joseph. Our Lord can use us wherever we find ourselves today, even if we’d want him to lead us to a different place tomorrow.

In some incredibly tough limitations, Iris also sees opportunities, including the chance to build relationships with busy carers. Are there any situations you’re finding tough at the moment? Might there be opportunities to share God’s love with others in those circumstances, even just in small, simple ways?

Prayer

Lord, help me learn from Iris and see Your opportunities for me today. Help me be content to blossom where You’ve planted me and look to be Your servant there. Help me pause and listen to the busy people I meet. I pray for some of them now.