Shipwrecked

This week has been an extremely difficult one for me. The week began for me, after worship, spending the night with a dear friend who has ALS. She is the most loving, faithful and kind person I know. In the past three years since I have know her, I have watched her deteriorate from this disease. She can not eat, she has had a stomach tube yet has continued to cook for other people until recently. She can not swallow and has a suction machine that she is indeed dependent on for each breath Now she is unable to barely walk as her muscles are quickly deteriorating as well and her neck hangs limply- causing her to not be able to see forward or keep her balance, so she falls.
She has never complained, and has always been the one to encourage all those around her, her family, her friends, me...
As I lay there in the bedroom close to her's on Sunday pm, I heard her in their gasping for air. I prayed that God would fill her with the sprit of life and bring her through the night and she would wake up at least a little bit rested. I pondered life, love, the fragility of our lives'.
The next day I received word that a long time founder of our church and dedicated woman had finally succombed to death. So, I drove from one friend's house to the nursing home to check on the husband.
They have been married for almost 70 years. After listening to him share with me the incredible gift of their love and their marriage, I asked him how he felt.
"Shipwrecked" he said to me with watery eyes and a wobbling voice.
Yet somehow, he is able to focus on the good, the beautiful life they have shared, the fun memories, the love and the legacy they created together and to which he attributes all to GOD.
Shipwrecked. He is lost now. In a new space, a new place that he didn't expect nor does he know how to navigate through. Yet, he is not without hope. His faith in a loving God strengthens him even now, in the midst of his excruciating grief and pain. Carrie Newcomber has a new CD out - Before and After, and on one of her songs - there are lyrics-
"It will take a change of heart for this to mend.
It will take a change of heart for this to mend.
But miracles do happen every shining now and then
If not now, tell me when?"
Dear God- you are a God of love and healing.... Heal all those who hurt and are lost and lonely now... Help us all remember the miracles that shine now and then....
Peace.
holly