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Listen while you read: "Safe In The Arms Of Jesus"1 (Lyrics) |
I was sitting in the hospital room, watching my husband Kurt sleeping soundly. The last few days had been a nightmare for both him and me.
It all started when he came inside our house after doing some raking. He told me that he must have swallowed some dust, because his throat was scratchy and a bit sore. That night, he didn't sleep very well, and started to chew anti-acid pills. He didn't sleep the following night either, so I finally convinced him to go to the hospital. Once there, everything happened in fast-forward. My husband was suffering from a heart attack and was rushed to a cardiac hospital, where an angiogram was done. Once they had found the blockage, a stent was inserted. Because of his vascular dementia and the anaesthetic, my husband was completely confused and delusional. I was at my wits' end and thought that this was the end of the life that I had grown accustomed to. My focus was on the immediate situation, and I found myself getting more and more anxious by the minute.
The following verse came to mind and brought me comfort:
Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. (NIV)
As I thought about this wonderful revelation, I thanked God that my husband was alive. By the Spirit's urging, we had arrived at the hospital in the nick of time, which probably saved his life. I didn't see it at the time, but reflecting, I saw God's hand in the situation. And … that's where my focus should have been.
As I write this, my husband is back home, and I am watching him sleep, because rest is part of the healing process.
As caregivers, we tend to forget about ourselves because our primary concern is about our loved one. God understands. He is with us as caregivers and with our loved ones. God demonstrates His love for us by sending a friend to care for us by sitting at our loved one's bedside as we go and refresh ourselves. They may bring us a hamburger because we haven't eaten yet or just drop by and give us a much-needed hug. Doctors and nurses, who are compassionate, knowledgeable, and empathetic, are also part of the healing process. Things may not always turn out the way that we hope for, yet our loving heavenly Father cares about us and knows what the future holds. When we can't talk to God, others will intercede for us and uphold us in prayer.
Matthew 6:34 – Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NIV)
Prayer: Lord God, we are anxious and worried. We are thankful for doctors, nurses, health technicians, and friends who help us in the healing process of our loved ones. Thank You, Lord, that when we can't pray, others intercede for us. Grant us peace, and instill in us hope and trust in Your Word. Amen.
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Sunday, May 28, 2023 – Worldwide — Day of Pentecost—Pray that our churches worldwide may experience a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit, so that we may be better enabled to share our faith with our families, friends, and communities.
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Pregnant daughter so very sick!: "May 26, 2023. Please pray for my daughter AD, who is having her first baby at 36 years old. She is..." 
Praying for you, friend.
Glad that Kurt is home and resting.
I will pray that your husband will heal rapidly.
Thank you for sharing your God lesson with us.
Praying for you Rosemary. Thanks for the encouragement.
Praying for you, Rosemary, and for your husband. Such sad news you’ve shared with us. Hugs, my friend. Blessings.
A precious devotional, Rosemary.
May God bless you and your husband.
Keep writing for Jesus’ sake.
Dear Rosemary:
I pray your husband is much better and that you are too. I am sending you a huge hug and kind words and prayers.
God bless you my dear sister in Christ.
Hello
This was beautiful and so true. The song, Because He Lives, came to me when my life turned upside down and after singing that chorus several times the peace that came over me was amazing.
So happy to hear you get to see your hubby sleep and getting stronger with each God-given day!!!
God bless you both.
Hi Rosy,
As soon as I started reading I thought it might be you writing this moving devotional. You have sure been having your problems, first as I recall with you mother and now with your husband and I really admire your faith under these difficult and trying circumstances.
It is our prayer that you will be given the strength to carry on during these difficult times.
Blessings.
Greetings,
Thank you for this morning’s devotional. Good to hear that your husband got admitted to hospital in time and is now home recovering. Thankfully our Lord is watching over us and ever ready to help us through situations and as you say sends friends at the right times to assist us, especially when we are in a full time duty of being a care giver.
Blessings upon you and may your husband continue to recover from his heart attack.
(B.C.)
Thanks for your words. My very good friend died this week.
She was diagnosed cancer this month and I was called to tell me of her passing.
I was so shocked and sad. But I know that God is our comforter. And our family and friends are to be cherished.
Hope you husband is getting stronger each day.
Thank you, Rosemary, for sharing God’s presence in your lives, in such experiences as these. In so doing you live out Paul’s words: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” (II Cor. 1:3-4). Yours is a wide and deep message for us all.
God bless and keep you both.
Oh Rosy what an experience. I am sure the Spirit, must indeed have urged you to act as you did.
God bless you both.
I have recently walked in your shoes and without the prayers, love and many act of kindness from friends and neighbors my families’ journey would have been much more difficult. Thank you for sharing.
(Tx)
Hi Rosy,
Thank you for your devotional, and for taking the time to share what must have been a very stressful time for you and your husband. It helped me as my husband (who is normally a very active person and committed volunteer) has been going through a challenging time with his health as well.
Even though each daily devotion has something to remind us we’re not alone, and to encourage us along the way, yours touched me where I’ve been living for the past few months. We too are blessed with friends and family who have helped us in this time of our lives, God-sent I’m sure, and it makes the load less burdensome … trouble shared is trouble halved.
Meanwhile, I ask our Lord to continue to hold you and your husband close to Him, and to give you the respite and refreshment needed as you provide loving and compassionate caregiving.
Blessings.
Amen and amen, Rosemary!!!
Sweet blessings to you!
(NV)