Gospel Hope for Miracle Scrolling
Gospel Hope for Caregivers: November Newsletter
Raise your hand if you’ve ever stayed up late searching the internet for a miracle solution.
I’m not going to tell you how many times this past month I found myself scrolling through testimonials on various products, all promising me a solution to a problem. Eventually the comments all sounded the same. Something along the lines of “I had tried everything and had given up hope. Then I found this product! I was nervous I would be disappointed again, but this time I got the solution I wanted! I tell everyone about this product - it’s the best!”
I’m also not going to tell you how many items I put in my online shopping carts over the past month… each time barely convincing myself to wait a day before actually pressing “buy” (which was how I avoided spending hundreds of dollars).
As I sought various cures, solutions, and fixes I found my heart feeling more and more discouraged about the brokenness around me. So many things that need to be addressed. So many issues that cry out for a solution.
Are we destined to wander the internet in search of hope, or does the gospel offer us something that miracle scrolling can’t?
Here are four things I’ve been pondering:
Miracle scrolling exposes the truth that the world is not as it should be. It’s not a figment of our imagination. Our bodies, our hearts, our minds, and all of creation are crying out for a miracle to fix the brokenness that sin brought.
Miracle scrolling reminds us that deep down we know there must be an answer to the brokenness. We haven’t given up hope that somewhere there is a solution to what ails us.
Miracle scrolling reflects the fact that at some point we all get to the end of ourselves. We all reach a place where we’ve “tried it all” and “nothing has fixed the issue”. It is healthy to remember that even with all the wonders the world offers, none of it will be able to permanently and completely fix the deep brokenness inside.
Miracle scrolling points us to Christ. He is the only one who can provide a miracle cure. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate solution. Faith given to us by God’s grace is like opening the front door tomorrow, finding all the items we left in our carts piled up given to us for free, and having them all do far more than what they promised to provide.
Of course we can read reviews, and order products, and search for practical solutions to problems in this world. But even as I seek human made solutions, I want my heart to always be calibrated toward Christ. I want to always remember that apart from Jesus, these solutions are temporary at best.
Even if all our external problems went away, we’d still be left with the problem of our sin. Our selfishness, our impatience, our short tempers, our attempts to avoid doing good to those around us… are all problems that have no solution on the internet. There is no product that will cure those issues. So there is always a need to turn toward Jesus.
If you find yourself miracle scrolling this next month - let it prompt you to pause and cry out to the Lord. Tell him what you’re struggling with and ask him to help you find a solution. Ask for his guidance and peace. Confess the hidden things. Remember that he will one day wipe away the tears gathering in your eyes. Praise him that he has performed the biggest miracle of all - he rose from the grave so that you can be saved.
Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 4:13-14
Encouraging Resources
Did you know that November is National Caregiver Awareness Month? Join me tomorrow at 12pm ET as we talk about how we can help older generations and caregivers feel seen during the holidays. This event is free and hosted by The Value of Wrinkles. Register HERE to get your link to the online event - I hope to see you there!
In honor of National Caregiver Month - my book “Who Cares for You?” is available at a reduced price on Amazon for the month of November.
As a reminder my book is always available at a reduced rate if you’d like to place a bulk order for your church or ministry. Simply email me at marissa@marissabondurant.com to place an order.
Want to encourage a caregiver this month? Consider offering one of the following:
Sitting with their loved one for an hour so they can take a break.
Bring dinner or breakfast.
Help her get to church. Ask what she needs to make that happen, and then offer the assistance needed. It might be picking her up. It might be staying home with her loved one. It might look like making church more comfortable and accessible so her loved one can join her.
Offer to run some errands for her.
Roll up your sleeves and do some of her yard maintenance.
Invite her and her loved one to your house for Thanksgiving.
Send her an encouraging note in the mail.
Have other ideas? Leave a comment and share them with this community!
Family Update
My crew had a busy October. Gymnastics, soccer, and horse back riding were their chosen after school activities. We did our first ever “stay-cation” during their fall break from school - which I highly recommend! Rob took the girls on a quick camping trip while I traveled out of state for a funeral. We all reconvened at home to a flea infestation that a nice neighborhood skunk gifted us. We had to vacate our house on Halloween while it was fumigated and enjoyed trick-or-treating with my sister’s family (I’m so thankful they live here now!).
November… will be busy (life with four kids always is), but hopefully there will be fewer bugs!
I’m thankful for you and the opportunity to encourage you each month. May the dark evenings and shorter days remind you of our need for the light of Christ. And may the miracle of his sacrifice give you hope when you feel discouraged.
Love, Marissa
Thank you for this.