God Knows His Plans

 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

At age 92, my mother may not have many future plans on her bucket list.  But still, her life is valuable in the eyes of the Lord.  It has broken my heart not to be with her in physical proximity, hugging her, cooking for her, spending the week at her home being daughter, companion, friend.

We are encouraged by the fact that all of us have gotten our first Covid vaccine shots.  The second ones are looming (Danny's already had his), and it looks like we will all be able to get together safely around March 20th.  What great news!  I can't ask for a better gift than to be able to be with my mother in a normal and natural way.

Mom and I have an established routine.  I give her a wake-up call every morning at 8:00.  Yes, Mom wears hearing aids, which she takes out at night, but seems to have no trouble hearing the ring from the cell phone next to her bed.

Until last Saturday.

My calls persist, off and on, from 8:00 until 9:45.  No answer!  In desperation, I contact my mother's neighbor, Mary, who has been a faithful and life-saving help when it comes to checking on Mom's well being.  Mary calls me when she is parked in the driveway.  The house is dark.  No light or movement detected.  And my fears run wild!

Has Mom met her Maker?  And I couldn't be there to say good-bye?  How will I handle this situation?  How can I travel safely there, and then execute all that needs to be done?  What is the best way to break the worst news to my children and grandchildren?  I cry out, "Lord, this is just too much!"

Mary calls again, asking me where my mother's bedroom is located in the house.  After I give her directives, it is not long before she reports back.  "I couldn't get a response when I rapped on her window, but when I returned to the kitchen door, the lights were on!  Your mother let me in.  She just overslept."

She just overslept?  And without hearing the repeated phone rings in any way, shape or form?  I am relieved beyond words, but also concerned beyond measure.  My mom's not getting any younger, and the sooner I can travel to her home and spend time with her, the better it will be for all of us.  Danged this horrid Covid!

The Lord knows His plans for all of us, and will enact those in His time.  I only hope and pray that Mom will be around for a few years longer, and that we may share the love and companionship in person as God intended.  And I give thanks to those folks, like Mary, who have made it their mission to be Mom's hands and feet during this turbulent and troubling season.  Mary, indeed, is the epitome of the Good Samaritan.

And for her, Lord, I give thanks, and upon her, I wish endless blessings!

Amen!