Seeking His Heart
It is Sunday, the day I usually begin to write my blog. I’m sitting here, staring at my screen, trying to discern how to write about discernment. “Discernment in the Kingdom” happened to be the next lesson in our Sunday School study guide this morning and I was the teacher.
It’s easy to teach on things when they’re not too close to home, but I’ve been struggling for the past three weeks about being discerning when it comes to my mother’s health. I’ve been with her a week in the hospital and almost three weeks in rehab, nearly every day, all day until supper.
My mother—a bright, energetic, creative woman—has 95 years under her belt. She is “Mimi” to her two grandchildren and seven great grandkids. Old age has been settling in the last few years. Imagine that! But, up until three weeks ago in her assisted living facility, she still enjoyed playing cards, Bingo, Corn Hole, WII Bowling, balloon games, and even playing the piano while the others sang hymns.
Mimi has had a few falls and this is her third time in the hospital in the last two years with pneumonia and congestive heart failure. She’s just not bouncing back this time. She is weak and seems to have lost her will to try, just wants to stay in bed. PT and OT are making great efforts to get her up and going. Reluctantly she tries, but not without a fuss.
My dilemma—when do you stop pushing? That’s why I’m praying for discernment. When is it encouragement and when is it time to let go?
And so, dear blog friends, I reach out to you for your prayers this week as we try to make decisions about where she needs to be and how much to push. To add to the mix, I’m the only child.
Please be specific in your prayers as you feel led. Scripture verses are welcomed. Thank you, friends.
~ Joyce ~
If your
If your mom is not on an antidepressant you might ask your doctors a on one. They often work well on the elderly also sometimes it could be a low thyroid. Both of these have
Made a big difference in
My now 98 year old mom. Also in numerous of my elderly patients. It is all about quality of life
My mom enjoys shopping at goodwill and Ed it buying items to restore and give to others
Sometimes it takes a while to regulate
Meds.
A good geriatric experienced pharmacist could review for you too many
LEDs are t good either take care of yourself. God. God. Bless you
Thank you for all your nurse advice, Pat. She is on thyroid meds and an antidepressant. One thing I want to check is that she has returned to the same meds she had before the hospital. Sometimes they change things in the hospital and it doesn’t get switched back once you go to rehab.
Praying for you and your Mom. I’m blessed to still have my 95 year old Dad around and in good health. Keep us posted!
Thank you for praying for us, Suzanne.
Hi, Joyce!
While reading your blog this morning, I remembered meeting your mom at ECH and seeing you come to visit her so faithfully. I know it’s taxing everything you have but in doing so you are honoring your mom.My younger sister Carolyn is taking good care of me at home and I know the Lord will bless her. The Lord will give you strength as long as its needed.
Joyce, is your mom saved? Perhaps it’s time to step back, enjoy her company, and not push too hard. She is, no doubt, tired wanting to go home to heaven.
Yes, Martha, you may be right. She knows the Lord.
Prayers sent upward for His discerning grace for you Joyce. This would be a Jeremiah 29:11 time~
Thank you, Anne. Jeremiah 29:11 has fit more than one experience in my life. He knows the plans, I must trust Him with them.
Joyce, I once heard it said we need not struggle to find (discern) God’s will, for if one is in His word and trying to live by it, he/she is already in God’s will. Just as a “good tree cannot bear bad fruit” (Matt.7:18), so discerning may be more about learning to trust you are indeed in His will and being able to rest in the knowledge He holds the answers. You are a “good tree” and the very fact that you are feeling a need to possibly “stop pushing” may just be the discernment you need if not the discernment you necessarily want. There is a season for everything! I remember struggling with this same thing with my mother. I’ll be keeping you in prayer that God will whisper loudly to you.
Thanks, Sandy for your wise words. Yes, you are absolutely right, it is a matter of trust. I’ll be listening for that “loud whisper.” Love that.
Sorry, Sandy, to just now be responding to all these good comments over the past four weeks. Your comment about trusting is what sparked my comments in last week’s blog. It was just the loud whisper the Lord was trying to send me. Thanks for being used by Him.
We will all be there if we live long enough- hopefully as alive and “with it” as she has been ! Sending prayers for you, Joyce 😌
Thanks, Linda. Yes, growing old is in store for us all.
Sorry to be so long in replying, Linda. Just now getting to all the wonderful comments and encouragements. Yours included.
Praying for God’s clear direction, joy-filled moments with your mother, and peace in all the future holds.
Thank you, Diana, for all three prayers.