A turn for the worst….

Since my last post, we got word that my step-father fell in the kitchen and broke his shoulder (turns out he bruised his hip as well).  It was a scary, rough couple of days, shuffling schedules and making care-giving phone calls with medical providers and step-siblings.  And although the situation is only slightly less panic-laden, we stopped to be silent in God’s presence and asked Him for comfort (all around), patience, wisdom, and direction.  Even for God, that’s a handful with our crew! 

Kathy, Paul and I headed up Thursday evening and just took appraisal of the situation.  It’s so terribly hard to see the ones you love most in the world struggling and hurting.  But God is Good, all the time!  By Friday mid-morning, John was feeling a little more settled, mom looked a little (only a little!) less frazzled, and we were stepping in to provide whatever we could.  John kept pretty busy fielding phone calls, which was an encouragement to them.  His arm is in a tight sling but we were assured that it is a fracture that will repair itself and no surgery should be necessary.  Blessing! 

After a crazy three-person struggle to get their window air conditioner installed (absolute necessity!) the house felt a lot cooler.  In the meantime, though, John had directed the process with Barb (John’s daughter) and Mom enjoying the entertainment.  It should have been a you-tube video! But mission accomplished with great results.  After lunch (side note here:  It was my job to heat the left-overs and make the grilled cheese sandwiches.  I was doing really good until we realized that I had toasted the sandwiches really nicely but had forgotten the CHEESE!  Alas.  Chalk it up to high-gear, non-focus agenda!!  So I had to take the heat for that one all afternoon!)  Anyway, after lunch, Paul sat down at the table with Mom and wrote out a grocery list – adding things like ‘special watermelon’ and potato salad and corn-on-the-cob and ice cream (and something they just HAD to have, whatever that would be) – and Kathy and I set off. That mission was accomplished, as well.

We split our time between doing what needed done (burning the trash, pulling the vines off the main outside steps, doing laundry) and nurturing (as in the Mary part of Mary and Martha – no secret Kath is Mary and I’m Martha!).  It was lovely to take a walk around the yard – just for a minute – to water the tomato plants and to stop and enjoy the lilies.  What a beautiful color.  Balm for the frazzled soul! 

We headed home later that evening, relieved that we could offer the little that we had, and praying that God will wrap them in his comfort and healing as they work their way back to their daily routine.  Like the story about the 5 loves and 2 small fishes feeding 5000-plus people, we know that God can work miracles.  He can take the little gifts that we offer and turn them into huge blessings! Prayers are always appreciated, so thank you for praying for them.  God bless….