Tender petals represent gentle touch.
Water drops represent tears of pain and joy.
Leaves represent outstretched arms that care.
Thorns represent the pain we feel.
Stems represent the strength required to support it all.
Today I want to share from my heart. On the day that my mother received her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease I knew it already, but hearing the words from the physician’s mouth seemed to drive it home. As I walked to my car I was struggling. My phone had a message from my husband asking me to call him as soon as possible. That was highly unusual but I was hours away and heading to my parent’s home after the appointment. So I called him.
HIs first words were, “Honey, I hate telling you this now but I am losing my job. I have nine months with this company”. For a few brief moments it felt as if all of the air in the car was gone and I felt fear overcome me. Then I cried out to God and knew everything was going to be alright.
There were moments that my faith grew faint such as the evening I had to admit my mom to the hospital due to a culmination of a horrible week for her. We had moved her to an assisted living memory care unit. She developed a urinary tract infection and yeast infection within days of the move. This resulted in uncontrollable behavior. I sat in the emergency room in the middle of the night fighting tears for her sake. They allowed me to stay with her until she was calm. I tucked her into bed, gave her a kiss and walked away with a broken heart. I blamed myself for moving her.
When I walked back through the hospital to the emergency room entrance to leave, a nurse opened the door to let me through. Instead of stepping aside she walked into the hallway and wrapped her arms around me. Then she began to pray. That was the beginning of God showering me with love on the long journey that lay ahead for my family.
Tears did flow many days when I poured my heart to God. I always felt as if I was failing my parents, my husband, my children and grandchildren. My emotions and physical strength were stretched to their limits. Often a card, word of encouragement or act of kindness would come reassuring me that everything was going to be alright.
I bid my parents a final goodbye as a stronger woman than I was before. The trials had produced fruits of patience, compassion and gentleness and had transformed me to be more than I was before.
I promised God that He would receive all of the glory for seeing me through. This thing I know beyond any shadow of a doubt, He will see you through as well. Give him your fear, anxiety, anger and pain. He stands with open arms waiting for you. He wants to make you stronger than you were before.
Word for Today
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7
Song for Today
Prayer for Today
Dear Heavenly Father, you are our strength. Today we ask for faith to believe and strength to continue as a loving caregiver. Grant us patience, tenderness and encouragement as we go about our daily tasks. When we need it, please send reminders that you are with us and care deeply for us.
We thank you that you hold our broken hearts on the rough days and put joy in them on the good days. When we feel the most fragile you are where we can open ourselves up and be honest in a safe place. Continue to hold us in that safe place throughout our journey.
We will give you the glory. Amen
Walking Them Home 