Friday, August 14, 2015

God is Our Stronghold



Psalm 37:39
The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.

Two Saturdays ago, I get the call every adult child of an aging parent dreads.

"Martha!  I've fallen!  I think my leg is broken!"

"Mom!  Why are you calling me?  You need to call 911 right away!"  I say frantically as I thank the Lord she has her cell phone on her person when this happens.

"But all the doors to the house are locked," she laments.  "How will they get in?"

"It doesn't matter, Mom.  If they have to break down a door, they will!  Do any of your neighbors have a key to the house?"

"No, none."

"Then call an ambulance, and let the emergency crews handle it!"

My husband, Danny, hurriedly researches names of friends close to Mom, hoping to dig up a phone number.  He is successful, and after a hasty plea from me to Valerie, she and her husband head for the house and arrive about the time the EMTs are getting Mom into the ambulance.  They make sure she has her purse and some personal items.  And the house?

As it turns out, my mother did something unprecedented.  She locked the door from the inside, but left the keys in the lock on the outside!  No break-in required!

Valerie locks up and returns the keys to my Mom.

And I am overwhelmingly grateful for God's foresight.

He was, indeed, my mother's stronghold in her time of trouble.

~

How is God being your stronghold today?

Prayer:  Father, we thank You for being our mighty fortress, our stronghold in times of trouble.  We ask prayers of health and healing for the elderly in our families, churches, and communities.  Bless them and keep them, Lord.  Surround them with Your loving kindness.  In Jesus' name, we pray.  Amen.

Postscript:  Mom had surgery for a fractured femur.  She is currently at a rehab facility where they are working diligently to get her strong and back on her feet.  She should be able to come home two weeks from yesterday.  Please keep Nancy in your prayers!

12 comments:

  1. Martha, I love how you use real world examples from your life and apply spiritual truths/principles to them. Is God my stronghold? Yes, He is my stronghold and my all in all. I pray God's protection over me and around me as I go about doing my daily activities. He is here protecting me. Your mom is in my prayers!

    Love and blessings!

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    Replies
    1. Kim, thank you for keeping my Mom in your prayers. She is one of the most determined people I know and is sure to get better until it is God's time to take her home.
      Believe me, I've been praying that God be my stronghold, too. Feeling pressure between the needs of my grown children and my parent, trying to work it all out. He does protect and He will provide, of that I am certain. Still, struggling to know the right move to make under the circumstances. Needing to pray, pray, pray!
      Love and blessings~

      Delete
  2. will keep your mom in my prayers too. It is so hard as they grow older. You know I don't think about the word stronghold much. Time to journal about that word and see what God is teaching me. Thanks Martha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your prayers, Jean! I must admit, I love the word stronghold. It always gives me the feeling I am protected and loved by an all-powerful God.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  3. Oh Martha, that's so scary! So thankful for those wonderful "coincidences." Praising God with you! Thanks for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. Oh, wow, Jason, so glad you were able to get through here! :) Yes, we are hanging in and hanging tough with God's help. Mom is recuperating better than expected, so we are feeling blessed. I plan to be with her for the first week when she comes home and then my brother and son will take over for a while.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  4. It surely looks like God was watching out for her! So glad you were able to get a hold of someone to help out. I hope she has a speedy recovery! ♥

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    Replies
    1. Oh, yes, Kathy, He was and is! Mom is doing very well with rehab.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  5. It surely looks like God was watching out for her! So glad you were able to get a hold of someone to help out. I hope she has a speedy recovery! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  6. That is a dreaded phone call...thank God for His protection in it all. Will be praying,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Betty, such a dreaded one, but Mom is doing so well! I am still thanking God for His protection.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  7. That is a dreaded phone call...thank God for His protection in it all. Will be praying,

    ReplyDelete

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