Lessons Waves Taught Me

There’s a sacred stillness that comes from standing at the edge of the ocean. You plant your feet firmly in the wet sand, and for a moment, you feel grounded, strong, maybe even unshakable. But then the waves roll in—sometimes gently, other times with surprising force—and as they recede, you feel the sand beneath your feet slowly slip away. The foundation you thought was firm shifts. You're still standing, but now a little off-balance, a little uncertain.

This is what caregiving often feels like.

Each wave is a task, a need, a diagnosis, an emotion. The tide of responsibilities comes in again and again, pulling pieces of your strength with it. And just when you think you’ve found a steady rhythm, life changes—schedules shift, medications need adjusting, your loved one’s needs deepen—and your footing is tested once more.

Yet, here’s the miracle: You are still standing!

Caregiving is not about never feeling the sand move beneath your feet; it’s about learning to shift, bend, and rebalance as it does. It’s about remaining rooted not in what’s beneath you, but in what’s within you—and above you.

Isaiah 43:2 reminds us, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you… When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned.” You may feel the ocean’s pull, but you are never alone in the tide.

To the caregiver standing in that water, eyes tired from long nights, heart aching with the weight of love and loss, know this: your calling is holy. Every day you choose to stay, to serve, to love, you are embodying the very heart of Christ. The world may not see the way your foundation is tested, but God does. And He celebrates you.

Instead of resisting the shifting sand, lean into Him. Let the rhythm of the waves remind you of life’s ebb and flow—moments of exhaustion followed by glimpses of grace. The ocean teaches us to stay present, to breathe, to release control. It whispers, “You don’t have to hold everything together. Let God hold you.” 

God says, “I've got you."

You may not feel strong every day, but you are never without strength.

Today, as you care for your loved one, take a moment to care for yourself. Place your bare feet in the waters of peace, even if only metaphorically. 

Remember this truth. Let the waves remind you: you were not meant to be immovable—you were meant to be resilient. 

You are not failing when things shift beneath you. You are learning, adapting, and becoming stronger in your surrender. Stand tall—God’s grace is deeper than the ocean.