The Journey I Wouldn’t Choose

I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. 

Isaiah 48:17

She finished reading the book and declared, “It was a journey I didn’t like being on.” Using that statement to describe a book is no big deal. But for many of us, that statement describes a complicated life situation that we can do nothing about. Many of us are on journeys we don’t like.

I don’t like the journey I’m on with my mother. She has debilitating dementia and for years hasn’t been able to walk or talk. She now can only move her head and neck. It’s a journey I would have never picked for her, and frankly, a journey I would have never picked for myself.  Day after day I cringe at her terrible state. 

At the same time I’m on this journey with Mother, I’m on a much more important journey with Jesus. And so, though I must journey through situations I don’t like, I do not journey alone. Jesus is always with me. 

While reading my Bible this morning I noticed a date beside a verse. When I wrote that date, I was feeling overwhelmed. I was selfishly struggling with having to care for Mother. God encouraged me: I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you (Isaiah 46:4). Today, nine years after dating that verse, I can confidently testify that God is faithful. He has sustained me on this journey, and He will continue to sustain me.

God has taught me to look at this journey as a ministry. He’s given me specific ways to spiritually minister to Mother, and He’s impressed upon me the importance of being His light to the workers who care for her. 

Will I have difficult days ahead? Will I stumble and grumble? I’m certain I will. But I’m also certain that God will remain faithful and will accomplish His good purpose in this difficulty! 

Jan Burkhart