When life gives you lemons...
The last time I posted we had just moved to our new home in Santa Fe. A lot has happened in the three weeks since we arrived. Most of it has been positive and exciting. We are mostly unpacked and settling in to the new house. We've begun to meet a few of our neighbors. We had our first church service in our home. The kids are getting adjusted to their new surroundings. We all are enjoying where we live and the many different opportunities that it brings for our family.
Here come the lemons...A little over a week ago on Saturday the 23rd, Jamie got a call that his mom had fallen. To make a long story short, she had spent two days in her house without being able to get help, without any water, and without being able to take important medicine that she needs on a daily basis. This left her severely dehydrated and in need of critical care. It also caused her to have a major stroke which has affected her memory as well as her vision. She was/is in pretty bad shape. The doctors believe that she will recover much of what she has lost but it is going to take time.
In the meantime, she has been moved to a rehab facility here in Santa Fe. It has given us the opportunity to be able to minister to her in her time of greatest need. We have all been able to spend a little time with her. Jamie has been visiting with her for several hours a day. Sometimes he takes our oldest daughter with him. She has shown such maturity and grace to her Gram. It has been a beautiful picture to me about how God gives us chances to make an impact right where we are. Unfortunately we can not be there all the time. It is not a place that is condusive to hanging out for hours on end. Speaking with her for many hours at a time is difficult for everyone. She asks many of the same questions over and over within a few minutes time. Many times she can't recall that someone was even there to see her. But, she is making improvements. She is working very hard to gain what has been lost. It is very tiring for her so she also needs a lot of rest.
Lemonade
Today, we recieved a phone call from a friend who gave us the idea to make a scrapbook for her to use to help her with her memory. It was a great idea. We quickly whipped together a binder with some page protectors and printed some photos. The kids added some personal touches. It isn't anything fancy but it came together easily. Our oldest daughter and I took it to her and hopefully it will make some difference in her ability to recall details. We added some blank pieces of paper for others to write notes to her that will help her recall their visit. Maybe some of her therapists will be able to use it to help her remember important details about her life. I believe that she has a long and difficult road ahead of her. It is our job as her family to walk that road with her and help her however we can.
This would not be the way that I would have chosen to begin this new journey here in Santa Fe. But, God has a plan that is better than our own. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11. He will walk with us as we move forward in this journey and He will be glorified.
We know that the days ahead will be difficult. There will be many decisions to make regarding what will be best for Jamie's mom. She will need a lot of patience and care. We are going to do our best to make lemonade out of the lemons we have been given. Sometimes life's lemons turn out some fantastic experiences along the way. Certainly we will learn a lot about ourselves in the process.
Sometimes I fail to remember this group of verses that are brought to my attention and many times convict my heart. "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4: 4-7 What an awesome promise!
I know that many people are dealing with one type of lemon or another in their lives today. Whether it be physical, financial, relational or spiritual in nature, any trial has the potential to either tear us apart or draw us closer to one another. May the lemons in your life bring you closer to those who are important to you and most importantly to the God who promises to give you a hope and a future.
By all means, make lemonade!
