By IdaLast Friday morning while in the middle of my devotion, I was distracted by the beautiful sound of the birds at my window. Then I heard them from the back room. Before I knew it, I was hearing them sing from each window like surround sound. It made my heart smile. This house was always surrounded by different types of birds singing to me. I’d like to think that God sent them to make me smile. I would always thank Him for them, after all they are His creation. I found myself asking the Lord; Lord wherever we end up living can you please send them there.
As soon as I was done with my devotion, Lucille (my dog) and I went for our walk, it was a sunny beautiful morning. Just as we turned the corner onto the horse trail I saw something very shinny from the corner of my eye. I stopped looked down, it was a charm shaped of a heart. As I held it in my hand immediately I felt the Lord telling me…I love you and I know your heart. Trust me!
Sure, in any given situation, I could have picked it up and said, “neat”, stuck it in my pocket and kept going. Bug this wasn’t the case, I believe that the Lord used this as a symbol to speak to me. He knew how I was feeling, and He knew in that very moment what I needed to hear from Him. I began to thank Him and praise Him.
Minutes after we got back home, the phone rings. It was the realtor telling me that a bid for our house had just come in at our asking price. Wow! There’s more…that Sunday afternoon as my husband and I were sitting at the table signing papers; our hearts were sinking as we were faced with so much to do, so much to think about, the sacrifices we were facing. Once again the phone rings, talk about perfect timing! The Lord had Angles call us (yes, you heard me right, Angels!) to rent a home to us. Not only did this home fit our needs and then some, but we get to keep our Lucille. Thank you Jesus, thank you, you are worthy to be praised!
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” “Therefore I hope in Him!” Lamentations 3:22-24
Tuesday, May 13:
My father-in-law whom I care for served our country during the Korean War, believed in working hard for his money in order to have the basic comforts in life and meet his family’s needs till this very day. His oldest son died while in his 40’s unexpectedly, he lost his wife to Alzheimer in 2006. Danny loved life, couldn’t even stay still long enough to watch a movie all the way through. In November of 2007 his body started to claim “I’m tired”, and today at the age of 88 it’s saying “I’m done.” Danny has been under Hospice care with us for over a month now.
I looked up the word Hospice in the Webster's dictionary and this is what it said, “a house for shelter or rest for pilgrims, strangers”. I thought how appropriate - we are pilgrims on a journey passing through this life in these temporary tents till that one day when our Heavenly Father calls upon us. But while still on this journey we can always find shelter, safety, rest in Christ Jesus. As a Caregiver there have been some difficult times in caring for my In-laws, even to the point of wanting out. But I see now what a privilege it is to have been a part of helping and comforting those in need. The Lord used this home to give that to Danny in his last days. I realize today more than ever that the reason we are not able to continue living here after Danny’s passing isn’t truly because we can’t afford it, because God can do anything. It is because it wasn’t for me in the first place; it was for Sophie and Danny…their resting place in their last days.
Psalm 31:20 - You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence.
Deuteronomy 33:27 - The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms;
Hebrews 4:1 - Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest,
Psalm 23:2 - He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
Jeremiah 31:25 - For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.
Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
At about 5:15 this morning (Thursday, May 15), my husband went down to help Danny use the restroom, this was no longer a simple task. Danny had finally lost the ability to walk from the weakness of his heart and frail little body. Just two weeks ago I saw him from across the room standing over his walker dancing to the music playing on TV, he loved music. Well my husband comes back upstairs from helping him and tells me “I don’t think we can do this anymore, he needs around the clock supervision“. We knew Danny’s heart about not being put in a home; just yesterday he had thanked us for keeping him at home. In that very moment as we lay there in bed I cried out to my Lord, for help, for mercy, for wisdom, for direction. Well the Lord heard my cries, He always does. Psalm 6:8 - For the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord has heard my supplication; The Lord will receive my prayer.
Later that day the Hospice nurse requested “continued care” which means a nurse will be hear for 16 hours a day due to Danny’s severe declining. We now had the help we needed. Danny doesn’t have to leave his home and the best part, but not the easiest, is Danny is on his way to meet his Heavenly Father. Thank you Jesus!
As we sit hear watching this little pilgrim spiritually taking his last steps, we see how truly life is but a vapor... James 4: 14 - whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is
your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes
away.
Psalm 39:4, 5 - Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the
measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my
days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; certainly every man
at his best state is but vapor.
Signing off for now…I’m tired and I need to go check on Danny…2:23 a.m. Friday, May 16
Friday 7:30am...After a very restless and difficult night for all of us, my husband goes in to check-up on his father, only to see him take his last breath. Our God is so merciful, Danny did not have to go anywhere, he stayed in the comforts of his home, his bed and from there he walked right into the arms of Jesus, probably ran and now dancing! Dance Danny, Dance!
I always had it in the back of my mind that when this time came it wouldn’t be as difficult as I now find it to be.
Closing thoughts, Sunday, May 18th
I am speaking to all caregivers reading this, whether it be a parent, child, husband, whomever you’re caring for...
- Never make any decisions based on emotions
- Take all your worries, concerns, weariness and doubts to the Lord first
- Find a Godly support group and if your church doesn’t have one, go to those in your church for prayer. There is great power in prayer!
This is how I made it through.
Galatians 6:9 - and let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Amen!
Ida
(Someone gave me this story, but it doesn't have who wrote it or where it came from)
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table, but the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.
"We must do something about father," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. when the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.
The four-year-old watched it all in silence.
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.
The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
That evening, the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days, he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk was spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
Regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. If you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work, and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you. W
