Trust With All

In You, Lord my God, I put my trust. – (Psalm 25:1, NIV)

Lord, I put my life in Your hands. – (Psalm 25:1, ERV)

Forever I will lift up my soul into Your presence, Lord. – (Psalm 25:1, TPT)

 

Today is a long-awaited day, as it will be the start of the first time that I have spent seven consecutive nights in the same room as my spouse since the end of April. During the day, as there is much to do with and for mom, I am typically occupied enough that I am able to be fully invested here, and present where I am planted. However, during the time that mom rests or when all is silent and still, my heart aches for my family and my home. This upcoming time of reprieve and refreshment is what my heart has been longing for. Each day, I continue to learn to place my life in the Lord’s hands, and trust Him with all that I am. Some days are far easier than others, yet He remains faithful, even when my faith wavers. It is my hope that both as I go and when I return, He may use me as His instrument of peace and shine His light of love through my words and actions.

Yesterday was a bit of a tired day for mom, as she woke twice in the night, and then rose to eat breakfast extra early. She didn’t really get the rest her body required, so by noon, she was dragging. During her occupational therapy appointment in the morning, mom overcame a giant obstacle. The exercises Larissa wanted her to do to strengthen the right side of her body, required mom to kneel on the floor. She was terrified to be on the ground, as the last time she was on the floor was when she had a frightening fall in the middle of the night, on one of her first nights back home. Thankfully, she was not harmed in any way at that point, but it was traumatic for her, and the very idea of being on the ground became a space of terror, rather than something that might actually be beneficial. Mom fought past the fear, and knelt to the ground to participate in the exercises. Her courage and strength astound and inspire me daily, and yesterday was no exception. After OT, we had a quick bite of lunch, followed by speech therapy. Though mom was weary, she rallied well, and did a great job. Her speech and word recall are remarkable, and have recovered and been restored the fastest. Most people would be unaware that she had ever even had a stroke, based on speaking with her. Today, mom has physical therapy and occupational therapy back-to-back. Both are fairly early this morning, then we have down time to wait for Megan’s arrival. My sister is driving this time, so we do not have an exact time to expect her. We anticipate late afternoon, but much is dependent on traffic and road work as she travels. Join us in praying for a safe journey, as it is typically a seven-hour drive.

In all things, and at all times, may we ever place our trust in the Lord.

 

In all things and times,

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Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography ❤

Choose trust in the Lord;

For He is faithful,

And true to His word.

His grace is enough,

And He does provide;

All that is needed,

In love, He supplies.

Be it time of rest,

Or strength to endure;

God is the giver,

Our hope held secure.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we place our lives in Your hands, You provide all that we need, as it is needed. Thank You that You love us best. Forgive us for our frustration and fears when we are at the end of our own strength and resolve. Teach us to trust You more, as it is in that very space of our own end, that Your strength and power are made most evident. Show us how to love, encourage and support those around us best, so that they may know Your love tangibly. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You will all. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. – Psalm 13:5

Hope When it Feels Like Hell

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. – (Romans 12:12, NIV)

Be happy because of the hope you have. Be patient when you have troubles. Pray all the time. – (Romans 12:12, ERV)

Do not forget to rejoice, for hope is always just around the corner. Hold up through the hard times that are coming, and devote yourselves to prayer. – (Romans 12:12, VOICE)

 

This morning, this is the very reminder that I needed the most. I know there are stages of grief, particularly when something so traumatic takes place with a parent, especially a parent who has filled the role of both mother and father, coach and teacher, friend and confidant, leader, example, pastor, sole grandparent to my children, and so much more. Anger seems to be the stage in this process that both my sister and I are in. Between the frustration of the questions of why her, the outrage at the details and the seeming disclosure violations, the paperwork battle to place her near family (which is far less costly than the dang hospital), to simply being just plain mad that it happened to OUR mom. We would never wish this on another, but why her? I know no one has the answers, and quite frankly, I would probably throat punch anyone who tried to give me answers. In fact, I woke myself in the night saying “throat punch”, as my left arm shot forward with a balled fist. Thankfully, I was facing the opposite direction of my Viking, and he was soundly sleeping. Finding joy in the hope is particularly difficult when we feel like we are on hold. Patience in static spots is not a strength of mom’s, Meg’s nor mine. Prayer, we can do, as I know so many of you are too. Perhaps that is the point of this post. Please pray for joy in hope, patience in all of this, and ever be faithful to continue to contend for mom’s complete and total healing.

 

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Of what lies ahead;

For fear’s a liar,

No matter what’s said.

God is far greater,

Than all that we face;

We must be patient,

It’s His, not our pace.

In everything,

Choose seek God and pray;

no matter what’s seen,

God will make a way.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are bigger than our frustration and anger and grief. Thank You that You hold us in Your hands and ride out our rage, waiting lovingly to embrace us with Your joy, peace and comfort. Forgive us for allowing fear a foothold based on our limited understanding. Teach us to trust You more. Show us how to find joy in the hope of all that lies ahead, patience in the here and now, and to pray without ceasing. Lead us to love well, all those around us, so that they may recognize Your heart for them through us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, even in this, for we know that You alone can bring beauty from ashes and hope from despair. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

To all who mourn in Israel He will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness. For God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for His own glory. – Isaiah 61:3