Just as the seasons are sure to change, we have seasons in our life! Last night, my husband and I went to visit a friend in the hospital. This friend has been suffering with dementia/Alzheimer's. We have known for a while but seeing him this far along in the disease was shocking! It brought back all the memories of my beloved father-in-love when he fought like a trooper only to lose the battle.
Our friend has always had this bigger than life personality! In his younger years he was a little wild and quick tempered but in his mid-life years he came back to the Lord. I remember so many times we would sit around and I would preach at him not understanding why he ever turned his back on God. He was raised in the church and even went to Christian schools. He knew! Then the time came when he would preach at me! Oh, not because I had wandered away from the Lord, but because, I believe, he wanted me to know that he had 'come home.' I am a minister...he called me Joyce Meyer! What a compliment! He and I had a unique relationship.
My hubby has known him his entire life. Last night's visit was hard. We hadn't seen him in a while so it was quite a shocker to see him at this stage! I hate this disease! In my opinion it's the absolute worst disease there is. I know...all disease is awful, but Alzheimer's...the person who has this horrible nightmare gets to a point in the disease that they don't know what's happening to them. But us, the family...we have to watch this horrible disease slowly take bits and pieces of our loved ones away. I watched it destroy my father-in-love and now my friend! I ask why? Not out of disrespect to God, but out of frustration and anger at the loss of my loved one. I have to go to the Word. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NLT tells us:
"1 For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
2 A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
5 A time to scatter stones and a time to
gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
6 A time to search and a time to quit
searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace."
I trust God. I know He holds me, all of us, in the palm of His hand. I know that in a blink of an eye, He could heal my friend and obliterate this disease. I know that He may choose to not. No matter what God does or doesn't do, I will forever praise His name. And when I get overwhelmed, I'll rest on His chest.
Have a blessed day,
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