Last night as I was leaving rehab to attend our life group I asked Hu if he had any prayer requests. He said, “Yes, I need encouragement from the Lord that I am improving”. I mentioned that to the group and this morning I received a special email from one of our friends in the group who has been faithfully praying for us. I would like to share part of it with you.
Psalm 103:1-5
1 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
4 He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
5 He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
I know Hu is looking for encouragement from the Lord. In my experience, when you’re feeling bad, it’s hard to feel encouraged until you actually start feeling better. Perhaps it will be easier for Hu to be encouraged by looking back instead of forward? Looking back, he’ll see Jesus’ love and presence throughout his life and this medical journey.
• V2: Think of all the “Good Things”: (you, your boys and their families, your friends and church family, the many daily blessings)
• V3: Remember the greatest gift we’ve all received: Forgiveness of his sins
• V3/4: Healing & Redemption from Death: Think on all he’s experienced thus far. Not too long ago Hu was in ICU - how and we were all uncertain we’d get more time with him on this side of eternity. What a praise!
• V4: Love and tender mercies: You’ve mentioned many times that the caregivers you interact with have worked with loving devotion on Hu. You’re now able to stay by Hu’s side and both get rest and have the comfort of each other’s presence, he’s been able to move some and had several great days with big physical accomplishments.
I hope that looking back, you and Hu will both find some of the encouragement you need to keep moving forward. The road to full recovery is long and the end probably doesn’t seem like it’s in sight (and maybe it’s not for now), but perhaps the encouragement you need each day is to remember that Jesus has been next to you every step of the way to this point. Satan wants us to forget this and does what he can to make us feel overwhelmed but God is bigger and wants you to be encouraged!
How blessed we are to have this friend and so many others that have come along side us in this time of need. We thank the Lord for each of you!
Sherril Harrill
Dear Sherrill,
ReplyDeleteI wish we were closer together so that I could come sit with you and help pass the long hours each day/night, especially when Hu is sleeping. Your verses and exposition nearly every day are a blessing to me as I try to envision your circumstances and how similar they are to what I experienced with Ralph for over three months at Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. You do become attached to the aides, custodial staff, etc. I had one of my most significant conversations with a night aide substitute. Please know that I continue to think about you and your beloved as well as the rest of the family, and pray that you will remain healthy through the ongoing strain of "living" at the hospital. Surely you will have home health aides when Hu comes home who will help with his baths, exercise, etc. Insurance usually covers these services for as long as the doctor orders them. So you won't be alone in caring for him. And remember, "As thy days, so shall thy strength be." One day at a time...
Much love,
Barb
what a great message this was...looking back on what God has done and be encouraged byt that. Amen!
ReplyDeleteJohn and Bunny
Thank you for sharing specifically how to pray, and through Psalm 103, as well.
ReplyDeletePraying for you all, and for encouragement for Hu.
Ken & Barb