If you happen to stop by my blog will you please stop what you are doing and pray for my dear friend and her family? They are in the midst of the worst storm of their lives. Sue's 17 year old nephew took his life the other day.
Another friend went through the very same thing a few months ago with her 22 year old son.
My heart breaks for these families. I cannot fathom anything worse and I can't get them out of my mind. As a mother of a son trying to find his way, it's easy to put myself in their shoes. I wish I could do something to take away their pain. Since only God can give them comfort, I beg you to pray with me that they cling to The Healer.
I will spend today focusing on all of the many blessings God gave us this year. This morning I'm most grateful that my daughter who is home visiting from New York decided to host a Turkey Trot through Clarkston to raise money for Hurricane Sandy victims. We usually run the Turkey Trot through Detroit to raise money for the parade. I couldn't be more proud that she listened when The Holy Spirit prompted her to think of others!
When it all comes down to it, being a dental hygienist doesn't really save lives. Studies show that the bacteria in periodontal pockets can travel through the blood stream and cause problems, but honestly, for the most part it is not a matter of life or death if one chooses to have their teeth cleaned or not. But after practicing dental hygiene for well over 25 years I learned something new the day before yesterday.
I took a drive to the other side of the state to visit my sister-in-law who has had more than her share of health issues. Just one week after the 10 year Golden Anniversary of beating breast cancer she learned that it had returned as a result of the chemo and radiation. In our short time together that evening, I learned more about her than I had in all of the years I'd known her. She told me how important it is to have nice teeth at this stage of the game. She said that when your health is failing and you've lost everything, having a nice smile with healthy white teeth and beautifully manicured nails are the most important. She was totally serious!
Connie is one of the sweetest people I know. If you didn't know better (and see how weak and unsteady she is) you would think she felt like a million bucks. She told me that her attitude is the ONLY thing she can control, so she is making the choice to be happy. She told me how she was asked by a nurse to talk with another patient who was struggling and that that patient died soon afterwards.
I thought I was going over there to check out her bleeding gums (caused by flossing too much~really?) but as it turns out, it was for my good. She wanted to talk with me about gene testing. She got great big tears in her eyes when she said that it's okay that she has had all of the health problems, but it would NOT be okay if it were her boys or her grandchildren. It was through those tears that I saw a glimpse of the extent of her agony at the core. It was also through those tears that I saw the deep love for her children that only a mother could comprehend. She feels strongly that if I learned that I was positive for the cancer gene I could get more frequent tests and they might be able to catch it early. It would also help her family if I knew if I had the gene. I hadn't thought about it that way. I was against the whole idea because after all, if I had it, I would deal with it. I didn't want to give any energy to it unless the time came.
Connie is on some very heavy blood thinners that caused a tiny cut from a piece of dental floss to continue bleeding for days. The doctors told her that if she were to fall and hit her head it would be, "Game Over." I am so grateful and honored that she called me to come to the rescue.
God is teaching me lessons every single day! I'm super glad He called me to be a dental hygienist. Please pray for this sweet woman who has Blessed my life.
One might ask: Angie, why do you still blog? Why not just journal or get a diary instead? Are you writing to get some unmet needs filled? Are you looking for approval from total strangers or from family members you could just as easily pick up the phone to call or better yet, go grab lunch and have a proper visit face to face? Do you think anyone really cares what you have to say, especially 950 posts later? Aren't you just taking up space in the "cloud" that could be used for something better?
Just so you know, I ask myself the very same questions and I really have no idea.
All I can come up with is that I blog so I'll remember. And if what I write blesses just one person, that's reason enough for me to share what's on my heart. That one person is you, my little sister. Thanks, Goose for encouraging me once again... from several miles away.
So you ask what's going on?
Mom was right when she said that no matter how old our kids are, we will always worry about them. God is working overtime in the life of one of my kids. I heard someone say that it's best to get down on your knees before God breaks your legs. I've never believed it more than I do today. Don't get me wrong, I don't believe God punishes, but I do believe He allows certain things to happen for His purposes as part of His perfect plan. I'd give anything to have him fall to his knees and surrender his life. I'm not sure how to pray for him. It reminds me of when Dad was in his last days. I didn't know if I should pray for God to perform a miracle or for Him to just take him. I felt sort of guilty asking God to take him. I had the same conflict going on in Dave's last days. I so wanted him out of pain, but that meant he would be gone from our lives. It was pretty obvious that a miracle was out of the question.
My child needs a lesson in humility. If he gets what he wants right away, he will think he did it, instead of knowing it was only by God's grace. I want him to trust God more than I want him to get what he wants. There, I said it. It is so hard to watch him struggle. It feels like I'm watching him learn to tie his shoes for the first time. I so want to just do it for him, but this time I can't. I can see why parents protect their kids and want to "save" them, especially when I have a friend who is trying to heal from something I cannot fathom. She's the one whose son committed suicide. How do we know if they can survive the pressure? I guess that's my real question. Do I trust God with my son? I have no other choice but to trust Him, but it's hard.
"For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as the One who serves. You are those who have stood by me in my trials." (Luke 22:27-28)
I've been reading about The Last Supper these past few days. This morning when I read these words it felt like the first time I heard them. I was thinking about being one of the chosen few invited to dinner that night. I couldn't help but think about my own dining room table and how insecure I feel about entertaining. I am a lot more comfortable and relaxed meeting with friends and family at a restaurant (where we are all served- and way too critical much of the time) or at their house. Plain and simple, I love to be served more than to serve others.
We were invited to some friends' house for dinner tonight. I was just thinking about this couple. We've been friends for many, many years and have shared many meals with them. I've mostly enjoyed those times at home, sitting around their table. Until just this minute I didn't realize how much they seem to really "get it" and how they so willingly humble themselves by serving others (washing their feet so to speak).
I also can't help but think about my mother-in-law, who is in her mid eighties. At every family gathering she continues to serve her adult children and grandchildren instead of letting them serve her. I am inspired by Marie, and the many people in my life who live by Christ's example.
How fitting that it is November first, the month of Thanksgiving. I want to be intentional about serving others this month and welcoming them into our home (even if it isn't perfect). So many have stood by me in my trials and it's time for me to start showing them my appreciation.
