Back At Work
In August of 2021, Covid visited our family. Don and I were both very ill. My oxygen level got so low, I was taken to the emergency room and hospitalized for two weeks. I returned home as a hospice patient and needed the use of an oxygen concentrator. With that machine came adult diapers, a walker, and end-of-life meds. I couldn’t do anything for myself.
We spent that Thanksgiving and Christmas season watching my hair fall out and scatter across the dark hardwood floor. It was tragic and strangely beautiful to see the long gray strands sparkling in the light that streamed in with the morning sun. Before Covid, I used a large claw clip to hold my waist-length hair up on my head; by December two bobby pins would suffice. I wondered if it would grow back as I made the decision to cut off what little remained of it.
It wasn’t until the middle of January 2022 that my condition sufficiently stablized and I was released from hospice care - much to the surprise of some doctors. The Lord answered the earnest prayers of His people and through the care of my family, faith community and good neighbors, my abilities slowly returned. He has granted me continuing days and the joy of continuing work alongside my favorite man.
The experience has taught us to say with the Psalmist, that it was good that we were afflicted. Without being presumptuous, it has had a way of putting focus into our day and a reminder of our God assigned purpose. While there was already a great sense of that in our lives, having our physical strength be so limited has required that our activities be necessarily reevaluated and only the highest priorities pursued. Of first importance: to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, declaring his faithfulness to the next generation.
Now, a year later, we are increasingly hesitant to expend energy outside of that purpose and the clear circles of influence we have been granted. Knowing we will give an account of our days, we are called to labor for the glory of the Lord in the place he has ordained for us. We thank Him for the work he has given us to do and pray daily for the wisdom and strength to do it.
Let us be found faithful in His service.
~ Love
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands. ”