January 30, 2010
(Continued from Exodus 23:1 – 24:18)
We walked into the room. Jane was sitting in a lazy boy chair with the footrest up. The Activity Director told her I was here to visit with people—would she like to visit? Jane said, "Yes." I pulled a chair up by her chair and we started to visit. The Activity Director left the room. I have no idea how long I was there, but I am sure it was well over an hour.
Jane and I talked and talked. I asked Jane where she was from and she said Pennsylvania. She said she was a former school teacher. I asked her what she taught—English. I told her my English grades weren't the best when I was in school and that I've always kind of thought I should take an English course now... maybe she could help me. She smiled. I asked her about her family. She had never married. I asked her if she knew anything about the Appalachian Trail when she lived in PA. She replied that some of the best times of her life were spent on the A.T. We talked about the A.T. blazes and how they let you know you're not lost and how the double blazes warn you if you're coming to a confusing area where you could lose your way and get off course. I said, "Don't you wish our lives were like that Jane? Wouldn't it be great if our lives had blazes which would clearly show us if we were following the right path and warn us if we were about to get off on the wrong trail?" Jane replied that we do have that. We have the Bible and Jesus and they can clearly guide us if we allow them. I said, "You're right Jane." Then Jane asked me my name. I told her. Then she asked, "How do you spell it?" I spelled it for her, and then she repeated it and said, "That is a beautiful name." ("He knows my name, He knows my every thought, He sees each tear that falls, and hears me when I call.") I said, "Thank-you Jane."
We had such a sweet time of conversation. I asked Jane if I could pray with her. I held her hand and prayed. I heard the Activity Director walk in and sit on the edge of the bed, just in time to witness and hear what happened next. Jane took my hand, raised it in the air, and prayed the most incredible prayer of God's blessings on my life that I have ever received!! Amazing! I left the nursing home a completely different person than the person who walked in. I went in crushed in spirit and hoping to be a blessing to someone else, and walked out with the load that was on my heart and shoulders GONE and feeling so incredibly blessed. "Amazing love – How can it be that you my King should die for me? Amazing love – I know it's true it is my joy to honor you in all I do...." Listen to "Amazing Love" here.
From that moment on.....
What a life changing moment. I left the nursing home with joy in my heart. I called my husband to share with him all that had just happened. The winds were still swirling around me, but it was like I was protected within the eye of the storm. "The storm" no longer felt personal. It was like God put a cushion—a barrier—between what was swirling around me, and myself. God's word says He doesn't give you more than you can handle, and I was witnessing that happen.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 - "I know the plans I have for you said the Lord. They are good plans, not plans to harm you but to give you hope and a good future. Then you will call to me, and I will hear you. You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart you will find me. I will let you find me...."
Addendum: 5/13/2016 ~ I am feeling overcome with gratitude this morning. As I read and re-live this amazing Blessed Event I am just so grateful and humbled by our Father's love. Amazing love! How can it be?
Father,
I'm sorry. I'm sorry for being frustrated at how long it is taking me to read, review, and edit these entries. I somehow thought that these few days I had at our daughter's would allow me to make it through most of my journals. This is the third day, and I haven't even finished 50 entries. Thank you for reminding me that this is YOUR story and that my plans and agenda really don't have anything to do with it. Thank you for putting my perspective back in order. I don't want to rush and miss out on what you may want to show me. Thank you for reminding me this morning about your amazing love. I'm in this for the long haul Father. How ever long it takes Lord, however long it takes. I surrender all.
This song by Hillsong really spoke to me this morning. Listen to At the Cross. There is no greater love!
Next Entry: Her Name Was Jane! (Continued)
(Continued from Exodus 23:1 – 24:18)
We walked into the room. Jane was sitting in a lazy boy chair with the footrest up. The Activity Director told her I was here to visit with people—would she like to visit? Jane said, "Yes." I pulled a chair up by her chair and we started to visit. The Activity Director left the room. I have no idea how long I was there, but I am sure it was well over an hour.
Jane and I talked and talked. I asked Jane where she was from and she said Pennsylvania. She said she was a former school teacher. I asked her what she taught—English. I told her my English grades weren't the best when I was in school and that I've always kind of thought I should take an English course now... maybe she could help me. She smiled. I asked her about her family. She had never married. I asked her if she knew anything about the Appalachian Trail when she lived in PA. She replied that some of the best times of her life were spent on the A.T. We talked about the A.T. blazes and how they let you know you're not lost and how the double blazes warn you if you're coming to a confusing area where you could lose your way and get off course. I said, "Don't you wish our lives were like that Jane? Wouldn't it be great if our lives had blazes which would clearly show us if we were following the right path and warn us if we were about to get off on the wrong trail?" Jane replied that we do have that. We have the Bible and Jesus and they can clearly guide us if we allow them. I said, "You're right Jane." Then Jane asked me my name. I told her. Then she asked, "How do you spell it?" I spelled it for her, and then she repeated it and said, "That is a beautiful name." ("He knows my name, He knows my every thought, He sees each tear that falls, and hears me when I call.") I said, "Thank-you Jane."
We had such a sweet time of conversation. I asked Jane if I could pray with her. I held her hand and prayed. I heard the Activity Director walk in and sit on the edge of the bed, just in time to witness and hear what happened next. Jane took my hand, raised it in the air, and prayed the most incredible prayer of God's blessings on my life that I have ever received!! Amazing! I left the nursing home a completely different person than the person who walked in. I went in crushed in spirit and hoping to be a blessing to someone else, and walked out with the load that was on my heart and shoulders GONE and feeling so incredibly blessed. "Amazing love – How can it be that you my King should die for me? Amazing love – I know it's true it is my joy to honor you in all I do...." Listen to "Amazing Love" here.
From that moment on.....
What a life changing moment. I left the nursing home with joy in my heart. I called my husband to share with him all that had just happened. The winds were still swirling around me, but it was like I was protected within the eye of the storm. "The storm" no longer felt personal. It was like God put a cushion—a barrier—between what was swirling around me, and myself. God's word says He doesn't give you more than you can handle, and I was witnessing that happen.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 - "I know the plans I have for you said the Lord. They are good plans, not plans to harm you but to give you hope and a good future. Then you will call to me, and I will hear you. You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart you will find me. I will let you find me...."
Addendum: 5/13/2016 ~ I am feeling overcome with gratitude this morning. As I read and re-live this amazing Blessed Event I am just so grateful and humbled by our Father's love. Amazing love! How can it be?
Father,
I'm sorry. I'm sorry for being frustrated at how long it is taking me to read, review, and edit these entries. I somehow thought that these few days I had at our daughter's would allow me to make it through most of my journals. This is the third day, and I haven't even finished 50 entries. Thank you for reminding me that this is YOUR story and that my plans and agenda really don't have anything to do with it. Thank you for putting my perspective back in order. I don't want to rush and miss out on what you may want to show me. Thank you for reminding me this morning about your amazing love. I'm in this for the long haul Father. How ever long it takes Lord, however long it takes. I surrender all.
This song by Hillsong really spoke to me this morning. Listen to At the Cross. There is no greater love!
Next Entry: Her Name Was Jane! (Continued)
No comments:
Post a Comment