Facing Life's Challenges

Last night I called my mother as I do several times a week. She lives alone and has congestive heart failure. She has chosen not to have surgery and to let God handle her life. For years, Mom's favorite passtime was creating beautiful handmade quilts. Her hands embroidered the squares in gorgeous colors of thread, then she would match one of those colors with a solid trim of squares and finally quilt in miniscule stitches. These quilts grace the beds of many of her friends and family. Not one baby was born who didn't receive a homemade baby quilt. After Dad passed away, she began to spend many lonely hours sitting in her chair, watching television, and sewing. Though we invited her to move in with us, she declined. I honored her wish because I understood her reasons. Two years ago, her arthritis intensified making it impossible for her to do any needlework. She turned to reading...the Bible, nonfiction and fiction books, working word search puzzles...anything to pass the time while the television played continuously. Over the past year, her health has declined rapidly and she began complaining that the house was dark. She can't hold a book or magazine for any length of time for it hurts her hands and she can't see the words. A trip to the eye doctor took away her last pleasure. Her eyesight is deteriorating and no change in prescription can help. She is going blind. But she is determined to meet each day that God gives her with an optimistic outlook. It may take her an hour to make her bed, but she manages. It may take her two hours to run the sweeper on her one rug in the living room. But she manages. She loves music and turns the television to listen to radio stations when her eyes are hurting. Her money is running out. By summer she will no longer have a savings...and she is finally realizing that she'll have to give up her beloved home and move to another state to live with us. It breaks my heart.

But with God's love, Mom will be able to spend her last days with family. She'll be able to enjoy some time with her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She'll have people to talk with, and she'll be able to become part of our church family.

Though it will mean adjustments on everyone's part, we'll work together to create a new home full of old memories.

As quoted from Philemon 6 NIV, "And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ."