Stand Firm

I was looking back over my journal and found a section titled in bold underlined words Stand Firm.  I read all of the scriptures noted and my comments and was reminded to plant my feet firmly and be prepared for whatever may come.  Those notes were written 3 years ago just prior to my father in law (Papa) getting sick.  When he finally agreed to go to the doctor he was admitted to the hospital in mid October with pneumonia. With further testing and x-rays it was revealed that he had stage 4 lung cancer that was spreading rapidly.  He chose to go to the nursing home with no treatments.  We visited daily and watched this strong caring man become weaker and weaker.  He tried so hard and even did the daily therapy to try to keep up his strength.  We had no idea how long we had with him and the visits were hard but so special.

I do child care and during this time the little guy that I take care of was only 5 months old so I had to load him, his 3 year old sister, my girls and my mother in law for these visits.  It was a lot along with homeschooling to juggle every day.  I look back and I could not have made it through this time without God keeping me grounded and staying planted firmly in Him.  

We had Thanksgiving dinner with Papa at the nursing home and he was easily agitated and tired out fast but he still made that effort to spend the time with us.  I brought him a piece of pecan pie because he liked that so much.  His breathing became more difficult with each day and by early December he had several large oxygen machines in his room giving him life. On December 10th we went to see Papa in the evening and we all knew that he was not going to make it much longer.  We decided to sing some Christmas carols to our Papa and we hugged and kissed him good night.  Just a few hours later, I was home, the girls were in bed and the phone rang. I answered the phone and it was my husband.  He could not even utter a word but a sob echoed in my ears.  Papa was gone. 

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

We called our dear friend, Pastor Mike and he made the trip out to officiate Papa's funeral.  Pastor Mike had shared the good news of Christ with Papa and it was perfect to have him share the good news with our family and friends at the funeral. 

The years since have been hard and we are watching my mother in laws health deteriorate not knowing for sure how long we will have with her.  God has placed us on this path and it is in the perfect place, being with our parents right now in their time of need.  God has allowed us to have the time and the right circumstances to care for them.  It is not always easy but the Lord provides.

"But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations." Psalm 33:11

I love being loved by God who challenges me.  I love that He never leaves me...He is always right there.  I love that God made it so clear how much we need Him but then also provided the way to Him just as clearly.  I love that God sees my path and keeps my feet firm when I truly follow Him.  Even when I wander He is with me.  I may stumble but He is still there and will never give up on me. 

"If the Lord delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand." Psalm 37:23-24

May the Lord keep us as we continue this journey...