Hello again. My life has had a couple of the interruptions I mentioned in the last post. One involved digging sweet potatoes because of a quick dip in temperatures here. Another was holding a ladder while my sweet husband installed leaf guards. Then a call came about my uncle. He had been hospitalized and his daughter needed to go back to work. Being asked to stay with him for a few days was truly a beautiful gift. Due to covid lockdowns, I had not seen him since February. Our hospital allows one visitor per day now. So I am well sanitized and know my temperature is around 97 each day after a few days of going in and out of the building.
I was able to love on him and cut his hair. He had only had one since February. Have you ever tried cutting hair in a hospital? I was able to cut one side while he was in a recliner. The pumps, iv and oxygen lines kept me limited to that side. In the afternoon I was able to cut the other side while he was back in his bed. In the between time, a doctor came in. He asked, “How are you?”. My witty and keen uncle replied, “My head keeps tilting to one side because it is so heavy”. The witty doc came back with “Oh, I thought you were trying to be a rock star”.
We discussed his trip to the Grand Old Opry and the early years of his marriage. He is 86 and his mind is still sharp. My heart was full and just the sight of him reminded me of my dad and grandparents. The phone calls from his children who live away offered me a chance to reconnect with them as well.
I am so grateful that I could be there as his advocate when doctors, nurses and care managers came and went. Use my own experience from this week to recognize how important it is to find extended family when you need them. Distance and jobs may keep your own siblings or children from helping. There may be other relatives that would feel honored to be with your loved one. I know I was. While a hospital stay might have been stressful for my uncle, it opened a door for me to visit with him. For this I am so very thankful.
If you are reading this and are feeling overwhelmed, do not give up hope. God may have a beautiful gift coming your way as well.
Before leaving today I would like to talk a little about feeling unbalanced or out of sorts sometimes. My uncle joked about being unbalanced because the untrimmed hair was making his head tilt. Sometimes we find ourselves in his situation. God may be pruning our lives. He is always in the process and it may leave you feeling like things just aren’t right. Perhaps it is painful. You feel unsettled and are looking for peace. To find this peace when things feel unsettled we must walk by faith. Sometimes it may feel like walking with a blindfold and trusting God to guide our steps. It may even feel like walking blindfolded on a tightrope. Then you not only trust him to guide your steps but you rest in the knowledge that he is also your safety net.
Be blessed and trust God. He may just have a beautiful gift wrapped up and tied with a bow to give you today.
Word for Today
John 13:34-35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Prayer for Today
Dear God,
We praise you for loving each of us, for sending Jesus to show us how to love and for placing opportunities for us to share that love.
Amen
Song for Today
Open the eyes of our hearts Lord.
Walking Them Home 