A Stranger In Strange Surroundings

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (NASB)

A woman sits, blank eyes staring at a wall. She is unaware of the people who love her, or who brought her to this place. Her mind is confused, asking the same questions, over and over again: "Where am I?" "What happened?" "Who am I?"

Last fall, my mother had a mini-stroke. She was working outside, covering the plants with mulch for the oncoming winter season, when it happened: this silent enemy, robbing my mother's memory of the day. We suspected that something was wrong when she kept asking the same questions over and over again. Her mind was unable to retain the information given to her. After making a few telephone calls, we rushed her to the hospital, where she stayed overnight.

It was very hard to leave her, as she did not know where she was, or why she was in this place.

The next morning, a loving letter awaited her from her grandchild, which read, "Hi, Omi! (Grandma) You are at the hospital. You are staying overnight. You are here because you had a mini stroke. Opi (Grandpa) will be back in the morning. Get some rest. Love you lots, Cindy."

To date, by the grace of God, my mother's health is much better, as is her memory.

During this experience, my mother was not alone, as we are never alone. God was with her, even though her mind could not understand. God was with her, as He is with us, through doctors, guiding their hands and minds. God was with her, as He is with us, through caring hands of nurses and technicians. God is with us, through a letter, a smile, a hug, a compassionate word, and a small kind deed.

Prayer: Dear God, You are with us as You guide the people who help us. You are with us through family and friends, through loving deeds, letters, and words of comfort. Thank You, God, for being with us in whatever circumstance we are faced with. Amen.