Dad's prayer

Therapy says “this is as good as he will get.” Insurance says now we must self-pay. Many facilities say they don’t want him because of undesirable behavior. The professionals say with this disease, it is hard to predict what will trigger unusual actions. He doesn’t know where he is, has angry outbursts, refuses to comply, stays in bed for days at a time, he forgets words, but God has not forsaken him. The Spirit is still at work in his life. Amazing. This was his prayer at lunchtime on Tuesday…short, simple, yet clearly spoken and profound.
"Heavenly Father,
We ask you to help us with all the decisions we have to make this day. We thank you now for this food; bless it to our bodies’ needs. We pray for each of our children that you would guide and direct them so that we may honor you. In Jesus’ name, Amen."

Standing by the bedside (posted by K J A)

As my brother has said so many times when trials come, “Most often the life lessons are for those loved ones gathered around the bedside watching.” God is a big God; there’s a lesson in here for us all. This will be a posting mostly about me. What I have learned, what I am learning and what I need yet to learn, as I feel as though I’ve been “gathered around” this bedside for quite some time, perhaps standing here alone before the others arrived. I write this not to glorify myself—it’s NOT all about me, in fact, this is MUCH bigger than me, how big, I will never know until eternity. My intent is to glorify God alone. And to perhaps encourage you, the reader, as you join with me in remembering God’s faithfulness. A healthy look back spurs one to keep going; “for he himself has said, ‘Never will I leave thee, never will I forsake thee.’” My journal is full of quotes, phrases, songs and most of all, Scripture—words that have been a balm to my aching soul.

God will never allow any hurt into your life that cannot be used for eternity. –Beth Moore Bible Study

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The darker the night, the more glorious the sunrise. –“Friends of Israel” Speaker

Trials are for my “highest good” --James MacDonald, “God’s Amazing Love”

“Be kinder than necessary…for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly…leave the rest to God. Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” --Suzan
(This one was what my children realized as they walked the halls of the hospital—everyone is hurting in some way.)

Matthew 10:29-31 “Not even one sparrow falls to the ground apart form God’s will…do not fear, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” When we face difficult circumstances, fear may cause us to wonder if God is aware of our situation. Jesus’ teaching assures us that God cares deeply and is in control. His tracking of our lives will never fail. –Our Daily Bread, Jan 14, 2009

Psalm 46:1-3, 11 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…the Lord of hosts is here among us; the God of Israel is our refuge.”

“Blessed be your name in the land that is plentiful where your streams of abundance flow, blessed be your name. Blessed be your name when I’m found in the desert place though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be your name. Blessed be your name when the sun’s shining down on me, when the world’s all as it should be, blessed be your name. Blessed be your name on the road marked with suffering though there’s pain in the offering, blessed be your name. When the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say, my heart will choose to say, Blessed Be Your Name!”

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

Proverbs 3:5&6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.”

Focus not so much on the solution, but focus on the One who has the solution! --Rick Warren via Jenifer in S.S.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” Heb 12:2
“Therefore we do not lose heart…so we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:16-18

Isaiah 30:15, 18 “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…blessed are all who wait for Him.” {The exact Hebrew word translated trust in this verse appears only once in the O T. The word bitchah means “there is nothing more that one can do.” ---Beth Moore} I’ve obeyed, there’s nothing more I can do but to trust.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, YET I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.”

"Love, Grammie"

How could two simple words elicit a flood of tears from me this morning? It was not what was said that brought the emotions, but what was NOT said that spoke volumes. The signature was simply and solely, “Love, Grammie.” The absence of Poppy’s name on my husband’s birthday card was glaringly evident and it hit me hard. Grief is unpredictable. It comes on its own timetable.
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

2/11/2009 dad back in the home

Dad's condition going down again as he is back at the home. I think

his medication has been much increased. I have little confidence in
the home he is in, he is there because we have no other options. I
pray for another option.

A Rare Treasure (Posted By Kim Ferguson Anderson)

A Rare Treasure
Today was a rare treasure on this roller coaster of a ride. It was if someone had flipped a switch. From the agonizing thoughts on Tuesday of “Round 2. Here we go again. Is this how it will be from here on out??” to today of “will someone please tell me again what disease he has?” Dad has responded so well to hydration, the antibiotics and proper care at the hospital! Antics, laughing, joking, even thanking the nurses for their care in helping him to the bathroom! “Thank you, girls, I’d kiss everyone of you if I could!”
Thank you, God, for allowing me to see him like that today! It helps to take the sting out of the harsh reality that I’m either becoming numb or adjusting to disconnecting from my emotions so that I can cope.
What am I learning? In a nutshell? “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, YET I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3:17-18
Dad and Larry singing together tonight sums it up…
“Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art!”