Seeking His Heart
Thank you once again for your many comments and encouragements. I will take one more blog to share things learned in this six-week ordeal.
I had gone several days to be with mother in the hospital from breakfast to supper, then it was suddenly time to make a decision about rehab. The hospital lady gave us a list of places within reasonable proximity of our house.
With minimal time to check, I chose three possibilities. One had no bed available. Within half an hour, here came a representative from each of the other two places with brochure in hand. The brochures were turned over with the reps’ phone numbers on the back. I studied each, not really looking at the front.
I felt like I was at a crossroad, not knowing which way to turn.
Just then I got a text from the memory care director at the place where mom had been living. She strongly recommended one the the two places I held in my hands.
Just to be sure I got the message, the Lord had me turn over to the front of that brochure. There was the smiling face of Art Boone, a family friend from our days in Somerset. It was as though the Lord said, “This is the place!”
Fast forward another three weeks. Since this was another transition, I was going everyday to help mother adjust and do what I feared the aides weren’t doing for her. I began to wean myself away slowly as I tried to discern what might be next steps for her. Many of you offered advice and encouragement through prayer.
One comment lingered with me. “Perhaps discernment is more about trust.”
On Oct. 1, the devotional book I’ve been using said (as though Jesus is speaking), “I want you to relax today. It’s easy for you to get so focused on your goals that you push yourself too hard—and neglect your need for rest.”
On Oct. 3, (stroke day) my devotion started out, “My judgments are unsearchable, and my paths are beyond searching out. This is why trusting me is your best response.
Oct. 5 began, “I want you to have no fear of bad news. The only way to accomplish this feat is to have steadfast trust in Me.”
Oct. 10, “A troublesome problem can become a idol in your mind. If you constantly think about something—pleasant or unpleasant—more than you think about me, you are practicing a subtle form of idolatry.”
…we take every thought and make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5
Ouch! Do you know how humbling it is for the queen of worry to come to grips with the idea that this worry is idolatry?
The Lord has given me so many lessons in trust through my life, but every now and then He has to give me refresher courses. Thankfully, He turns right around and gives assurances.
We had one more decision to make as rehab was coming to an end—where to go next. It was possible to stay in the place where she presently had rehab though it was 25 minutes from our house. Other places closer had no rooms available. But watch God work.
On a Saturday morning, we were on our way to gather box loads of things from where she had lived earlier to bring to the rehab place when a director called from a place eight minutes away from our house. They had a room open up! We had literally just pulled out of the driveway. So we drove first to the new facility. By Thursday, we moved all the furniture and Friday we moved mother.
We have more days of adjustment ahead in yet another new place, but God calls us to trust and to look for His assurances (and not to worry!)
~ Joyce ~
What a powerful message for so many of us facing uncertain days, Joyce. Thank you for sharing a bit of your journey. Praying for you and yours.
Thank you, Diana, for your continuous care and concern.
Thank you Joyce for your comments. You have given all of us a lesson in God’s mercy. Thanks be to God! Prayers continuing for your mom that she will be satisfied with her new home and that you & Jim will be able to get some needed rest.
Love & Hugs to both
Thanks, Aileen. Mother is slowly adapting. It gets harder at age 95.
Thanks, Aileen, for your love and concern.
Dear Joyce, you probably will not remember me from the YMCA Aqua fitness classes. I started going to the Norton YMCA this past year, so I truly missed seeing you! I was so sorry you have had a stroke, but pray that you continue to recover fully!
The Good Lord has guided you through so much lately and I know your mother is in a good place. It hurts when we can’t do as much anymore, but the Lord will take over for you.
I hope to see you someday soon. Take care of yourself and may God’s mercy keep surrounding you with grace.
Joan McCurry
Thanks, Joan. I miss seeing you at the Y. I’m feeling well and mother is slowly adapting to her new place.
We certainly hope you are taking care of yourself, Joyce. I, too, am reading a daily devotional, JESUS CALLING, where He reminds me to abandon my human frailties (such as worry and over-planning) and to trust Him completely. Your post today is so on target with what I have experienced in my faith journey – but you said it so eloquently. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Gale. My book is the same author – Sarah Young, “Jesus Always.” She is so on target with life in the kingdom.