Monday, August 22, 2011

Jesus draws us closer

The shift from the earthly dwelling to the completed life is "wonderful goot--ain't?" as the Amish community  [I grew up near Lancaster, PA] is apt to say.  But on the other hand, as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof it completely and total disrupts our planned agenda.  We get caught up in the living here on Earth and if we read and accept the truths of the bible we know the promise of salvation and the rewards of relationship with Christ Jesus but still we get invested in the house, the garden, the repairs, the children and the money to accomplish all of those and we don't focus on the dwelling in completionville.

UNTIL.........something changes.  Then the challenge begins, did I learn these lessons well enough to walk them out with righteousness, peace and joy?  Will I tee-totally lose my mind as I try to make death go the way I want it to, [complete honor, no embarrassing moments, no pain, no distress, no worry, no anxiety, no fevers, no nausea, no pressure marks or sore places you would normally shift away from?]  some of these you surely know are easier to prevent than others and some I just can not control or will never know if they were done the right way but I want, I want, I want [turtles ......turtles .......turtles] things to be done to the very best of my ability.

Last night was hard and yet the Lord was there providing for our needs.  Gene had a high fever [I am told this is caused by the bleeding in the brain and even with medication he was breathing hard and sweating and wet and the fever was rising again.  Adding to the problem the air conditioning had chosen this day to go kaput.

I called for help.  God sent a dear sister who came immediately [she only lives a mile from us], she remained through the night and urged me to sleep after the crisis passed while she remained awake and attentive to Gene's needs.  I called for the night shift of hospice to come and they helped to determine the breathing was from pain and we watched as some morphine gave him rest.  She skilfully helped me turn and reposition him and stabilized my fretted mind.  She wore a traditional head covering indicating, to me at least, that faith in God is a part of her life.  This morning though the fever is back with vengeance, I am up on the morphine and the tylenol and I have shirts altered to meet Gene's needs with the back removed and snaps in the neck collar thanks to another sister spending yesterday afternoon sewing for several hours.  So I can give him a clean dry shirt as often as I want. Also earlier in the day gene's family had arrived with a window air conditioning unit to cool at least this room and today they have contacted a company who is on their way to us first today.

And now before I have completed my blog the day is over.  Gene is much closer to departure to his face to face relationship with Jesus.  I have commitments to keep to him and thanks to give to God for the opportunity to serve this man, the gift that God gave to me.  I am thankful for the opportunity to do so.

7 comments:

Frances said...

Dear Joanie ...

Words fail me. Holy ground. Holy ground. I hold you and your family in heartfelt and tender prayer.

Laura DeWeerdt said...

Crying with you. Praying for you. Your blog is a blessing as you hang on to your faith to carry you through.

Anonymous said...

Weak and wounded sinner,
Lost and left to die,
O, raise your head for love is passing by,

Come to Jesus,
Come to Jesus,
Come to Jesus and live.

Now your burden's lifted,
And carried far away,
And precious blood has washed away the stain... so

Sing to Jesus ,
Sing to Jesus ,
Sing to Jesus and live.

And like a newborn baby,
Don't be afraid to crawl,
And remember when you walk sometimes we fall... so

Fall on Jesus,
Fall on Jesus,
Fall on Jesus and live.

Sometimes the way is lonely,
And steep and filled with pain,
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain... then

Cry to Jesus,
Cry to Jesus,
Cry to Jesus and live.

O, and when the love spills over,
And music fills the night,
And when you can't contain your joy inside... then

Dance for Jesus,
Dance for Jesus,
Dance for Jesus and live.

And with your final heartbeat,
Kiss the world goodbye,
Then go in peace, and laugh on glory's side... and

Fly to Jesus,
Fly to Jesus,
Fly to Jesus and live,

Fly to Jesus,
Fly to Jesus,
Fly to Jesus and live.

song and lyrics by Chris Rice

my prayers are with you often even though I don't know you.... Lee

Melissa said...

Dear Joan~

I imagine you made promises to Gene and to God to Love, Honor and Cherish till death you do part. You have met those promises with dignity, grace, strength and courage. I pray for you know, as your family and friends surround you, as you celebrate Gene's life and victory, that you feel God's very presence, His peace and love and comfort and His joy that comes in the morning.
{{Hugs}}
~Melissa Dasher

Barbara said...

We are so sorry for all the suffering you and your family are going through and continue to pray with much love and sadness in our hearts.

Psalm 16:8
I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Song by Casting Crowns:
" I am not skilled to understand
What God hath willed, what God hath planned;
I only know at His right hand
Stands One who is my Savior."

M.K. said...

I'm just a friend of a friend, who's found you on this day. May our loving Father protect and provide for you. May Jesus come alongside and be your friend. May the Spirit fill and comfort you. Love is eternal.

Anonymous said...

Praying for you today as you make arrangements to celebrate the life of your Gene. May the Lord hold you up and keep you close. He is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.