Wednesday, December 24, 2014

God's Choreography ... Part Two

God's Choreography ... Part Two
      
       Overnight, the flu bug struck again … this time at me, and with a vengeance.  Fearful of re-infecting Mother, I made arrangements to leave for home.  Meals were already prepared and in the freezer, and a young woman living in the apartment building was willing to check on Mother daily.  Mom assured me she’d be “fine,” and she did sound stronger.  I hated to go, but I couldn’t stay.
I called several times in the next couple of days, and all seemed … if not “well,” at least it was “better.”
God used all this turmoil in His choreography.  God had delayed my first arrival.  I was then allowed to make the effort, and to pursue “possibilities,” but it was evident I was not the principal dancer here.  The flu effectively booted me off stage so that Mother could continue her dance to God’s choreography.
Pre-dawn Monday morning, the emergency room nurse called.  Mother was back.  Dehydration is not an illness allowing hospitalization, at least not on Medicare payments, yet obviously Mother was unable to live alone in her apartment.  She needed more care than just a daily “check in” person could provide.
God directed the ballet with the ER nurse in the main supporting role.  Mother remembered the name of the assisted living facility I had seen.  The nurse made the many phone calls to me and the facility’s manager.  By late afternoon the dance culminated with Mother’s admittance to the facility, “until I get better.”  Three days later, she asked if she could stay.  It was time for other dancers to take center stage with her.
Allowed my part again in the encore performance, the official moving day occurred six weeks later.  Everything Mother owned had been sorted.  Most of her furniture and all of her clothing went with her.  Extra possessions were sent off with grandchildren, or to Goodwill and the Salvation Army.  The ballet was concluded.
The standing ovation occurred that evening as Mother looked around her new accommodations.  Her own furniture was creatively arranged to form small living areas.  Her own pictures hung on the wall.  Her favorite pottery pieces graced the wide windowsills.  A few unopened boxes were pulled out of sight.  As late-afternoon sun beamed through her large windows, Mother sat back with a sigh.  “I am … soooo happy!” she said, looking around at her domain.  “I just love it here!”
God’s choreography gave Mother and me nearly eight more months before He gathered her in her final bow.  From sleep, directly into God’s arms.
What a dance!

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Part One of Two .. God's Choreography

God’s Choreography

What does a deer through the windshield have in common with the flu bug?  They each formed part of our dance to God’s gracious choreography.
One April afternoon I received the call that Mother had been admitted to the hospital.  Early diagnosis said, “just the flu,” but in a 93-year-old woman, that could be dangerous.  They couldn’t keep her long, she was to be released the following afternoon.  Within the hour I was packed and driving out for the three and a half-hour trip.  “Daughter to the Rescue,” I was flying low.
The deer standing in the median strip caught my eye.  Before I could react, BOOM!  I didn’t even notice her moving, but I certainly noticed my windshield view fragmenting.   Luckily I could see out of the lower two inches.  Just barely enough clear glass remained to allow me to get the car off the divided highway and onto the shoulder.  Somehow I missed hitting the highway marker I hadn’t seen.  Every passing semi shook more glass shards onto my lap.
Before I stopped shaking, my cell phone was in my hand and I was hitting “2” on my speed dial for AAA Wisconsin.  Together the soft, calm voice on the other end and I figured out just where I was, and she dispatched the nearest response team.
An hour or two later, with the car safely towed into the dealership, I regretfully called the hospital and told Mother to expect me the next day.  How I came out of that mess with nothing more than glass in my hair (and into the back seat) is nothing but evidence of God’s mercy!  Not a bump, not a scratch, not even an ache the next day.  However, the car was not so lucky.  The windshield’s “Safety glass” spider-webbed, but did not blow out.  The EMT team had to help open the driver’s side door so I could get out.  The car was battered from hood to trunk.
Bright and early the next morning I tried again … in a rental car.  Other than being startled by a bird flying up out of the median, this trip was uneventful.  I arrived in time to bring Mother home to her apartment.
She may not have been sick enough to stay in the hospital, but she sure wasn’t well enough to be home!  The following night I was calling 911 again.  Dehydration called for IV drip, after which she was again sent home (in the wee hours of the morning.)
The next afternoon I investigated an assisted living facility the nurse had mentioned.  I sang its praises to Mother, but she feared even considering such an idea.  “I can’t afford that!”

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

God's Promise

God's Promise
to Noah, that He would never flood the earth again.
(witness the rainbow)
God's Promise
to Abraham, that he would father a nation.
(witness the nation of Israel.)
God's Promise
to Mary, that she would bear a son.
(witness, Jesus)
God's Promise
to us, that He would forgive.
(if we repent.)

Friday, October 24, 2014

The Gift

Savor the gift of today.
Unwrap the day carefully,
Reverently.

Each day goes better with praise.
Begin gently, sing to Him
Joyously.

Remember to carry Him
Deep within a grateful heart,
Lovingly.

Accept the gift of the night;
A time for peaceful slumber,
Renewing.

Allow the song of His grace
Permeate sleep-time moments,
Quieting.


Sunday, September 21, 2014

Delight

Delight

Trust in God’s almighty power
To save you from your evilness,
And open wide your heart, your soul;
Accepting love, His peace, and joy,
For He delights in you.

Conceive a life in terms of deeds
Of what you can achieve for Him.
Remember, then, the Source of life,
The Light that beckons all to come,
And follow, as He calls,

Don’t build a fence around His truth,
Proclaim for all the world to hear
What Jesus Christ has done for you.
Share His love, His peace, His joy,
Share your delight in Him.

Friday, September 12, 2014

(from Acts 14:22)

In this horrendous world in which we live,
Lord, please send Your beacon of sanity!
The Taliban, and Isis threaten us.
Officials, unable to bring us peace,
Respond with words of revengeful thinking.
The people of all nations need You, Lord!
Each individual--created by You--
In need of forgiveness, in need of love.
Help those of all nations come streaming through
The wide-open door of Your way, Your truth.
Use me, and help me see Your perspective,
And welcome them Home, with peace and Your love!

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Nature

Nature

Christ took on our nature
To become our Savior.
He felt rejection’s pain
When friends deserted Him,
Then pain of crucifixion
Became joy of resurrection.

We take on His nature
When we help another;
When we, with peace and love,
Portray the Christ within.
The nature of obedience
Becomes joy in our redemption!

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Appearance

Our outer appearance
Is un-important.
God views the inner being.
He judges the heart,
He judges the soul,
He sees past all your motives.

Our inner appearance
Includes all past deeds,
How loves directs your pathway.
He’s looking for proof
Of your love for Him ..
Or if rejection led you.

So, clean your appearance
Both outer and in
Present your best to Jesus,
For He’ll understand
Each sin you repent.
Salvation now awaits you.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Begin with God

This is one of my favorite photos of Lake Geneva.

Begin With God

Begin with God,
And walk with a smile
Into the dark of night.
All flows from Him
In unhurried calm
Into a life of joy.

The mark of love
Brings hope to a world
Intent upon its sin.
Giving of self
To others in need
Blesses, brings joy, and heals.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

A Rocky Shore

This has been a rocky start for me.
From NotsilentPsalms to SilencebeforeGod .... nothing has been working for quite a long time now. 
OOOPS!!  
So, I decided to can the others, and do ONLY this new blog site.  Giving this a try, at SingIntoSilence.blogspot.com    HOPE  THIS  ONE  WILL  WORK!!!

Hang in there with me, please.  Many thanks to those who've been faithful in checking on the other two sites.