Thursday, February 18, 2021

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!

42 comments:

  1. Oh Martha, I am so happy this story had a happy ending...and that your mother is still very much well and waiting for you to come visit as soon as possible. I know those kinds of fearful moments and the panic that sets in...but praise be to God, He had His sweet ambassadors of mercy nearby to handle the situation and give you comfort and peace of mind again. Yes, this has been a very difficult time for so many. I am happy that you are seeing the 'light at the end of the tunnel' and that soon your family will be able to be together once again. Praying for God to give you the patience to hang on a little longer! Love to you dear friend. (((hugs))).

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    1. Yes, Pamela, I'm so grateful for the happy ending, too! God has certainly been the abundant supplier of patience in these days, and for that, I am so thankful. We will hold out with hope for better times to come as the days unfold.
      Love and blessings!

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  2. My prayers are with you Martha. Jo's sister is in a long term care facility and she has not been to see her in a year. She would not be in quite the state you are due to mother/daughter vs sibling closeness but she talks more frequently about getting over to Ohio to see her. (she lives 7 hours away). I will pray for your peace and your mother's health to hold up so you can see her again and be her daughter once more in person.

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    1. Thank you so much, Bill, for your prayers and positive thoughts. I do hope Jo can get to see her sister, too, sooner than later. Such a frustrating chapter in all of our lives, isn't it? But God will get us through.
      Love and blessings!

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  3. Praying for you, your Mom and family, and for Mary for being there.
    May the Good Lord be with you all always and protect you from all evil. He cares for you all and loves you.

    God bless, Martha. Trust in God.

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    1. I will trust in God, Victor, that's for sure and certain! Thanks so much for your prayers - they mean so much.
      Love and blessings!

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  4. What a scare! I'm so thankful she was ok and so glad the neighbor was there to check on her. I'm sure March 20th can't come fast enough for you, and I pray you still have lots of time left with your mom.

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    1. Yes, Martha, it was quite the scare, but I'm so grateful all turned out well in the end. Yes, I'm looking forward with great anticipation to the day when we can all be safely reunited.
      Love and blessings!

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  5. Oh Martha, I certainly understand your fear! While I never experienced this situation with my own mother -- whenever I've tried unsuccessfully to reach a loved one, my mind automatically goes to a worst-case situation. Perhaps that's telling; my faith isn't as strong as it could be.

    Lifting prayers -- both for your mother and Mary.
    Oh, and of course, prayers of thanksgiving for next month's reunion!

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    1. I'm glad I'm not the only one to experience that fear when I can't reach a loved one, Mevely. And perhaps, you're right about faith, too. We can always recalibrate where we are on God's spectrum.
      And thanks so very much for your prayers!
      Love and blessings!

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  6. Dearest Martha Jane,
    For so many elderly, widowed and lonely, this past year has been pure horror!
    May it all end soon and let us go back to normal routine, showing affection and being able to visit.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  7. That must have been so scary, Martha. I let out a sigh of relief when I read that she was okay. I hope and pray you will soon be able to spend more time with her again. Love and blessings to you!

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    1. Terribly scary, Trudy, that's for sure! Yes, I was indeed relieved to hear Mary's voice telling me everything was okay. We are so looking forward to seeing Mom soon.
      Love and blessings!

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  8. What a beautiful relationship you have with your mother, Martha. I’m relieved to hear she is okay and overjoyed you will see her face-to-face soon!

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    1. Thanks, Beckie! It wasn't always a good relationship, but time heals wounds and forgiveness works wonders. We're counting down the days until we can see her!
      Love and blessings!

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  9. I am so glad to read that your mom just overslept and is okay. Yes to the relief we will all feel when we get that second shot. Amen!

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    1. I know, Terri, such needed relief when life can finally get back to "normal." Praying for you!!!
      Love and blessings!

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    2. I can only imagine your anxiety when she did not answer the phone. I’m so happy she is ok and well. Yes, her neighbor is a Godsend for sure. He watches over us always. Blessings to you, your mom and Mary.

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    3. Yes, Nells, it was nail-biting time for me, but I know God alone kept me calmer than I would have been if I was not a believer in Him. Mom is hanging in there, and looking forward to our impending visit. Praise the Lord!
      Love and blessings!

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  10. Mm, dear Martha, indeed it’s cruel!
    Dear mumma, very precious, praying you can be there together soon. Lord bless all hurting hearts in this sad broken world. One glorious day the Lord will mend all this broken pests and sorrow.
    Thanks for Sharing, God bless and keep you safe, and all those you love, hugs Shaz in Oz.x

    {Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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    1. Like you, Shaz, I'm praying that God will help all of our hurting hearts in these times. It will be so good to see Mom again soon!
      Love and blessings!

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  11. Martha, my mind would have gone crazy, too. Glad to hear your sweet mom is only. And wow, 92! What a blessing. My maternal grandmother lived to 94 and my paternal grandmother died in her sleep just 4 months shy of turning 100!

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    1. Wow, Karen! You have such longevity in your family. My mother has outlasted everyone ever on her side of the family, except for a great-great grandmother in Ireland who lived to be 104. She lived to tell the tale of the potato famine. Imagine that!
      Love and blessings!

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  12. I love the personal, relevant, and easily relatable way you shared this, Martha. Having lost my mom a few years ago, your story touched my heart and reminded me of all the wonderful, but challenging and bittersweet moments that attended her last years. Thanks for sharing this glimpse into the bond that God creates between us and our children--it's a window into the bond we have with Him. God bless you, my friend.

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    1. Thank you, Ron, for your kind and generous words here. We want to have cherished memories of our last days with our parents, so I'm praying with all my heart that God will allow Mom to hang in there! One thing she really desires is to see her great grandchildren again. Hoping that is in her future over the coming summer. Our closest bonds on earth reflect the bond we have with our Lord in heaven.
      Love and blessings!

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  13. I sure know those feelings Ms. Martha. Every time I can't reach my dad in Florida, my mind races to the "worst case." I know that day is coming; I know he's prepared for his journey home; but knowing doesn't make it any easier. I also know that Dad has a nasty habit of putting his phone on silent/Do Not Disturb, turning down the ringer, and worse he doesn't even realize he does it. After a day or two of missed calls, I break down and call my caregiving brother or my sister and the reassure me he's okay. Praying you can reunite with your mama in person real soon ma'am.

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    1. Oh, J. D., it is the worst, for sure, when we can't get hold of our loved ones! I don't blame you for contacting your brother and sister to get information about your dad. I would do the same in your shoes! We also realized this week that Mom has been "fiddling" with the ringer volume button on her new cell phone. Once again, neighbor Mary came to the rescue and got her on the right track. Can't thank that woman enough!
      Love and blessings!

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  14. wow that was frightening and so glad things worked out. my heart is pounding for you!

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    1. Oh, yes, Jean, it was frightening beyond belief! So glad God answered my prayers of desperation at that time.
      Love and blessings!

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  15. So thankful your mom was okay, Martha!

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    1. Oh, me, too, Cheryl! It sure was a scary morning.
      Love and blessings!

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  16. Martha, my reaction would have been similar to yours, I am sure. I always go to the worst possible conclusion in a hurry, especially where my loved ones are concerned. Your mom's neighbor Mary is a blessing! What a wonderful friend. I am so glad you will soon be able to see your mom in person.

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    1. Yes, Laurie, it was such a scary morning for me, but all's well that ends well. Mary is, and continues to be, such a blessing, and I'm looking forward to seeing Mom towards the end of March.
      Love and blessings!

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  17. Bless you, I know you thought your heart would stop.

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    1. Oh, yes, Loralu, that's exactly how I felt! So glad we had a happy ending.
      Love and blessings!

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