Music Monday: “Worn” by Tenth Avenue North

By: Debbie

After over three months, dad has finally entered the therapy phase for his rotator cuff surgery; I am thankful he can do more for me. But I worry he will do too much too soon and injure himself again. Still, my mom is doing most of the housework and my care. I can tell it’s wearing on her.

I’m sure caregivers around the world can relate to this feeling. Trying to keep the house clean and caring for a loved one who is injured or disabled is a lot; if you’re not careful, you can lose yourself- forgetting to take care of yourself and focusing on others.

It’s like the warning that flight attendants give at the beginning of every flight, “in case of emergency, remember to put the oxygen mask on yourself before assisting others….” It’s true. You can’t adequately take care of others if you haven’t first taken care of yourself.

That’s why I chose “Worn” for this week’s song. I wanted to acknowledge the hard work and sometimes underappreciated tasks of caregiving; I certainly wouldn’t be where I am without my mother’s and daily caregivers’ incredible support. But unfortunately, others in my situation are not always as lucky- as I know, looking for caregivers can be a hit-and-miss scenario depending on where you live.

The Importance of Rest

As I write this, it’s Sunday; traditionally, Sunday is part of the Sabbath-the day of rest. According to the Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, “Sabbath” is a derivation of a Hebrew word that means to “cease” or “desist.” So the sabbath was a day (from Friday evening to Saturday evening in Jesus’ time) when the ordinary work stopped. The Scriptures relate God gave his people the sabbath as an opportunity to serve him and a reminder of the two great truths of the Bible-Creation and Redemption.

Sabbath is so important to God that he also observes it in Genesis 2: 2, 3. He goes even further by telling Moses to include in The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11). Even more remarkable than that was that God (the Creator of the World) felt it was essential to tell Moses how refreshed he felt after the day of rest.

If the God of the universe needs rest, why shouldn’t we do the same??

Hope Amid Struggle

No matter what we experience on this earth, it’s always important to remember our hope in Jesus.

Now that doesn’t mean everything will go according to our plan; sometimes, it’s the opposite. Remember what James 1 says about trials:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. “(James 1:2-4)

It is important to remember that trials aren’t a consequence of God but a result of our sinful nature. In His Mercy, God turns our circumstances- something we see as disaster into something beautiful… But that’s just His Way. Remember what Romans 8: 28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose…

I understand hope may be hard to see in the midst of difficulty, but I guarantee you it is there. Even before the passage above, Paul has led to say about our bodies yearning for more than this earth can provide; look at what he writes in Romans 8: 23- 25:

^“Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

Isn’t that amazing that even our bodies recognize we were made for more than this world? That’s because the Holy Spirit; intercedes for us when we have nothing left to give.(Romans 8:26) So keep this in mind as you go about your day today.

To listen to “Worn” by Tenth Avenue North, it can be accessed here :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUEy8nZvpdM.