"In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears" (Psalm 18:6).
Each night I’ve been staying at the hospital as late as possible to spend time with Hu. Thursday night John was with me and when we got home David and James were up chatting. During Hu’s hospitalization we have had numerous times of prayer either individually or with just two of us. However, since only two people have been able to be with Hu at a time, there have been few times when the four of us have been at the same location and prayed together. David and James had been discussing the need for us to get together as a family to pray for Hu and process what we were experiencing. “My plan” was to be at the hospital in the morning for the doctors’ rounds and then I would come home at 8:00 a.m. I awakened tired (short night) and resentful trying to reconcile why I was going to come home when felt I needed to be with Hu.
The doctors’ reports were pretty much the same as we had heard before with small changes in the medications. It came time for me to leave, and I was even more resentful about leaving and began to cry. The nurse wrapped her arms around me and asked what was wrong and if I was ok to drive. I assured her I was. I headed out of the parking lot still in tears and the parking attendant asked if I was ok and if I needed a hug. (Thank the Lord for sensitive people!) When I arrived home I made it quite clear that I didn’t think I belonged there in my emotional state. However, as we talked together and then took our feelings and concerns about Hu to the Lord in prayer those feelings of resentment and focus on myself subsided.
It has been four years since we were all together (with wives and some of the grandchildren) and probably more than 20 years since just “the brothers”, Mom and Dad have been together.
I’m thankful for our caring boys but more than that I thank the Lord that they are following the Lord and desiring through their leadership to do the right thing—even when Mom doesn’t seem to be on board. We now have a pattern in place to set aside some family time each day to pray and encourage each other as we continue to learn what the Lord is teaching us through this experience.
I learned a valuable lesson through that experience - that I need to focus on prayer even when it isn’t “my plan” for the moment because Jesus stands ready to listen—if I am willing.
In Christ’s love,
Sherril
Each night I’ve been staying at the hospital as late as possible to spend time with Hu. Thursday night John was with me and when we got home David and James were up chatting. During Hu’s hospitalization we have had numerous times of prayer either individually or with just two of us. However, since only two people have been able to be with Hu at a time, there have been few times when the four of us have been at the same location and prayed together. David and James had been discussing the need for us to get together as a family to pray for Hu and process what we were experiencing. “My plan” was to be at the hospital in the morning for the doctors’ rounds and then I would come home at 8:00 a.m. I awakened tired (short night) and resentful trying to reconcile why I was going to come home when felt I needed to be with Hu.
The doctors’ reports were pretty much the same as we had heard before with small changes in the medications. It came time for me to leave, and I was even more resentful about leaving and began to cry. The nurse wrapped her arms around me and asked what was wrong and if I was ok to drive. I assured her I was. I headed out of the parking lot still in tears and the parking attendant asked if I was ok and if I needed a hug. (Thank the Lord for sensitive people!) When I arrived home I made it quite clear that I didn’t think I belonged there in my emotional state. However, as we talked together and then took our feelings and concerns about Hu to the Lord in prayer those feelings of resentment and focus on myself subsided.
It has been four years since we were all together (with wives and some of the grandchildren) and probably more than 20 years since just “the brothers”, Mom and Dad have been together.
I’m thankful for our caring boys but more than that I thank the Lord that they are following the Lord and desiring through their leadership to do the right thing—even when Mom doesn’t seem to be on board. We now have a pattern in place to set aside some family time each day to pray and encourage each other as we continue to learn what the Lord is teaching us through this experience.
I learned a valuable lesson through that experience - that I need to focus on prayer even when it isn’t “my plan” for the moment because Jesus stands ready to listen—if I am willing.
In Christ’s love,
Sherril
Sherril, thank you for your transparency! It was difficult for me to read through the tears. You and Hu have been used of the Lord mightily in my life. Don and I met at your dining room table on Thanksgiving Day, 1977, in Panama. I am forever thankful to our Lord that you two willingly took this stranger into your home and hearts. How well I remember that ride from the airport to your home in Panama City. David was 7, Johnny was 4 and James was 6 months. You allowed me to hold James on my lap in the car (no required car seats then!). We stopped for ice cream on the way to your house. You and Hu exampled a life of servant-hood daily. It was not what you did - it was who you are! Both of you will always hold a very dear place in my heart. I thank God for you and will continue to stand with you in prayer as Hu recovers.
ReplyDeleteGratefully, Cathi
Sherrill, I so get this and would have had to learn the same lesson had I been in your place. It is so amazing to see our grown kids acting as God would have them act and trusting their mature decisions. We never stop growing. I love the honesty and shared lesson here. Thank you! Bunny
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