Note to a Friend Who's Parent is in Hospice Care

Was thinking of you and family this morning…. And with the passing of our mutual friend's dad last night, remembered some things we learned with the decline of Lisa’s mom years ago. The closest I think I’ve ever come to experiencing angels is when one’s loved patient is in distress, and the hospice nurses come in, just quietly talking, soothing, taking care of them. Quiet crepe-soled shoes making no sound as they quickly move around, maybe a low song being hummed that fills the whole house with peace. That memory is still so clear, thinking: “this is what they are doing, all the time, ministering to the saints.”

Also learned the pain of somewhat going through what one’s patient is experiencing…. As they have a difficulty, or challenge, or “reduction”, there is a stress for you, with little you can do. It helped me so much when the picture came of an old time skeleton key hole (you wouldn’t know unless you’d seen one in North GA)… but it seems that as that as your patient is reduced in this life, you get crushed, too….. it’s like you’re being pulled through that old-time keyhole… and just when you think the “crushing” must be complete, there’s another event, prediction, prognosis… and there’s the pain of “reduction” again, squeezing you to nothing as you get pulled further through that tiny hole.

The third thing I remember, and saw this being at our friend's home last night as the phone call about her dad came…. There are always “graces” along the way. Some special comfort, word, event, touch, realization…. That just as the Lord told Moses from the burning bush: “I will be with you”, He demonstrates His presence. Nothing too big for His power, Nothing too small for His notice. Our friend had quietly mentioned after the Africa team departed for Zambia, “It’s hard not going with them….knowing the Lord’s going to do some amazing and surprising things, and not be there.” And by text last night, after leaving their home, we realized we’d been reminded at the same time: “This is why he isn’t in Africa tonight.” “Graces” (I call them) all along the way…. Like from Psalm 105:4 “Keep your eyes open for God, watch for His works, be alert for signs of His presence.”

God Is Closer Than You Think

One of the authors I really enjoy is John Ortberg. He has written a number of popular titles that help stir our hearts toward a deeper walk with the Lord. My favorites are: God Is Closer Than You Think, If You Want to Walk on Water You've Got to Get Out of the Boat, and The Life You've Always Wanted.

The event that triggered Christmas as we know it today, was a far different thing from what we see in the culture around us. We know from several passages in the Old Testament that God had appeared and spoken to men in various ways and situations. Adam, Abraham, Jacob, and Moses were receipients of some of God's earthly visitations, and connections personally with man. The burning bush, Moses' staff, the pillars of fire and cloud, were all evidence, as Ortberg says, that God was keeping His promise to "be with" His people.

It is interesting to me to visit a friend's town or subdivision, and almost without fail, the host will point out a home or business where a noted citizen lives or works. In Bethlehem, God didn't drop by for a visit... He moved into the neighborhood!!!

Jesus grew and ministered, and then came to a point where he basically said, "I need to go, so that SomeOne even better can come". Stunning was the news to those who had walked, witnessed miracles, and camped out with Him for 3 years. They had already decided, and stated their loyalty, "to whom else shall we go?" And now Jesus was definitely leaving, and promising SomeOne Else was on the way.

When we become Christians, the Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our hearts. That's God getting pretty close!! Too often we ask for God to "be with us"... when He covered that request 2,000 years ago!! Let us live believing that His every attempt to get as close to us as possible - has been fulfilled in our individual salvation - and just ask Him to live out Himself through us. Immanuel in Action!