As I wrote the prayer I was praying - the sense of peace and the connection with God was amazing. As a matter of fact, I am happy to share that I believe that prayer set the tone for the entire rest of my day. Here's what I mean.
After publishing the blog my heart was overwhelmed with a sense that God heard my prayer. I felt incredibly met by him and I think that because of this special time with him, I was more than a little excited to get on with my day.
Immediately following my writing time I grabbed a quick swig of warmed up coffee, put on my gym shoes and headed out of the door with Bear-bear. Next, I called my Mom to check on her because the day before, I'd been told by my niece that she hadn't been feeling very well.
When I heard Mom's voice I could tell that she felt uneasy, which quickly drew my five alarm senses to attention. She said the doctor had called and wanted her to come in that morning in re to her CT scan she'd taken the week before. Inside my head I heard my gears try to shift into full worry mode but the words from my mouth were not nearly so frazzled. Instead, I spoke calmly and encouraged my Mom to keep her spirits up and not allow herself to go to the bad thoughts that so eagerly want to flood our minds in moments like these.
Because of that prayer time, I was a hopeful, positive and strong woman for my Mom. Priceless.
After hanging up with my Mom because my sister-in-law had arrived to drive her to her appointment, I called my husband to pour out my concern for Mom and ask that he pray for her, too. That conversation was comforting and it helped me let go of the resurging feelings of panic. After hanging up with Joe, I prayed for Mom and thanked God for the relationship that Joe and I now share.
My sister picked up and I could tell she was a bit concerned when she heard my voice because we don't talk as often as most people think. Life gets to us sometimes, I suppose. Bren gives one thousand percent of herself to her family and I'm so proud of that. Her two adult daughters have a solid, loving and compassionate woman to assist and guide them when necessary. Hell or high water, my sister is a woman with a tender heart that comes to your side and goodness shines through, every time.
When she heard my voice, like I said, I could tell she was a little worried right out of the gate. I felt I needed to let her know what was going on with Mom as we might need to jump into action.
Funny how that is, my sister and I being the only two daughters out of the six of us always think that one of us need to be there for Mom rather than counting on the guys, one of whom lives less than a mile from my Mom.
Long story short is that throughout the day, I had a peace that was indescribable re my concerns about my Mom. Yes, I did shed a few tears and prayed in an ongoing sort of way but overall, the day progressed as days always do and I accomplished all that I was meant to accomplish with ease, including a SAC meeting late in the day where I sat around a table with wonderfully committed educators, community leaders and caring parents discussing all that matters to Community Learning Center West.
I talked with my niece re my Mom's doctor visit which addressed some symptoms she's been having without a doomsday diagnosis. Mom was doing alright.
Roasted chicken for dinner and some TV time watching a recorded episode of Survivor with Joe and the kids.
A terribly scary day gone good is the only way to describe it.
I believe I owe it all to the magnificent time that I shared with God, and you, that morning.
Dear God,
I am so thankful that it ended up being less than I had feared in regard to my Mom. She's such a blessing to me and I am so grateful for how well she is doing for a woman in her mid eighties.
Thank you for that time of prayer yesterday that absolutely and without a doubt fueled my hearts focus throughout a day that would otherwise have felt tormenting, riddled with worry and fear.
Thank you for the place you have helped Joe and I get to where I can share with him the things that cause me concern and he can listen and offer honest support and encouragement. I can lean on him now more than ever before and I know that you are to thank for that rock quality (the good kind) I have found in him.
I'm so thankful for my sister-in-law who always comes to my Mom's aide and not only escorts her to countless doctor visits and such, but who genuinely loves my Mom and gives her very best effort every time. Bless her, God, with the peace and healing that I know she desires and keep her thoughts on your goodness.
Thank you for my niece who has a very precious and dear relationship with my Mom. She's gone through so much over the years but her devotion and love for my Mom never miss a beat. She's beautiful_ a wonderful loving and forgiving type of a person, which is so rare these days. Please bless her with an even closer relationship with you so that she can have everything her heart needs in this life_ a life filled with your mercy and grace.
My dear sister, be with her as she faces the challenges of being true to herself and who she wants to be as well as being who she feels she has to be in the role of the Pastor's wife and the ever giving daughter , sister and Mom she's been every day of her selfless life.
For Mike And Sydney, bless this time of Spring Break. Fill their hearts with love and compassion and let us spend quality time enjoying and appreciating who you've created each of us to be. Help them to have time with true friends, friends who want only good things for them and please God, keep the others away. Give me the patience and energy to do whatever I can to make this time the best it can be.
More than anything else, continue to be there when I call, as you promised you will be, and let me know that you are there without a shred of doubt. Nudge me to keep making the call to you each day so that every day can be sweeter than the day before.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff – they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
Psalm 23 (New International Version)
A psalm of David.
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
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