This has been the week of a lifetime! Last Friday February 2, 2007 we brought Steve home to stay with my Mom and myself. Unfortunately this was plan “B” because he was denied a transfer to the acute rehab facility. All of this translated just means that we have become rehab facility workers. It has been decided that Steve needs to be up to 3 hours of exercises, either in his wheelchair, on a personalized platform that my Stepbrother, Michael made, or in bed. If Steve can work up to 3 hours of continual therapy then he could possibly be admitted to an acute therapy, rehab facility. Until then we NEED everyone praying. I am confident that the Lord is being blessed in this physical, mental and very spiritual challenge ahead of us.
Please Pray specifically for: Sound and rejuvenating sleep. All three of us are up at different times in the night, with intermittent sleep nerves are becoming shot. Attitudes are not the best and the volume for demands and answers in conversations sometimes should shake the walls of the house. We often wonder if the neighbors can hear.
Pray for opportunities to share God’s love and word with Steve and my Mom. That I would be able to grab hold of every opportunity, with the help of the Lord. Steve has asked that someone read scripture to him each day but it has become complicated because of his hearing. It sounds more like scripture screaming. Since his recovery time in the hospital Steve has been calling out to God and very committed to living the life outlined in scripture. I am sure that he made promises to the Lord during this process. I am praying that they are long lasting and not fleeting.
Pray for Steve to call upon the Lord for strength to get through each day. He needs to learn to get around in a wheelchair and do the basics on his own. He is relearning actions to get out of bed, move to the sink, pull himself up, shave, brush teeth, feeding himself and getting a glass of water. The exercises are sometimes very taxing and my Mothers expectations sometimes might be a bit high or pushy in Steve’s eyes. Pray that he would not give up but that he would give–more grace and less demanding to everyone involved.
Pray for those around us to see the immediate needs for help even when we can’t ask directly. What a great opportunity for those in the family of Christ to come together – unify and take on some of the physical burdens. The daily chores become daunting when you have someone with such great disabilities. Pray also that my Mom would let go and ultimately let God use others to lift those daily burdens.
I know that I am here in CA with them right now for a reason. I pray for stability, for peace in the craziness of each day, God’s blessed reassurance and guidance in each step, each exercise and conversation. May I be quick to listen and slow to speak no matter the circumstance! I know that I need to be more intentional in finding a new quiet place to read and be at the feet of the Lord because that is where I draw my strength, attitude and heart healing. I am confident that God can be glorified in all of this won’t you join me in prayer on behalf of those who are struggling?