My 2 siblings, Linda and Steve (and Steve's wife, Sandie) spent a week in May helping me with the moving and sorting process. Steve and Mom and Linda and I are pictured above. It was so great to have the additional brain and muscle power since I had been working almost non-stop for 3 weeks prior to their arrival from Chicago and Portland and I was seriously running on fumes.
I know from the many emails I received that this process of moving an aging parent is not a new one and there certainly is comfort in common experience. But, I also noted that no one said it was a breeze. Difficulty apparently is part of the common experience.
My sister, Linda, is the oldest of the 3 of us. She is patient, nurturing, kind and understanding. She is a wife, a mother of 9 and a grandmother to 9. And, she is most often the first to call us to prayer, not after we are in a pickle, but before. One morning, as I was climbing the ladder to delve into the attic, she sweetly reminded, "Would you like to pray first and ask God's blessing on the day?" I sheepishly climbed back down and said, "Sure."
"You know," I said, "you remind me of Mary...(the friend of Jesus who's first priority was to sit at the Savior's feet and listen to Him) and I am more like Martha (the sister of Mary who also loved Jesus but who couldn't relax when there was work to be done...the familiar story is found in Luke 10:38-42.)"
Just then, my brother, Steve, walked out into the garage and Linda quipped, "Oh, and here comes Lazarus!"
Okay, I don't normally like to explain jokes, but this may merit it. Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha. Lazarus died and Jesus brought him back to life after he had been in a tomb for 4 days. (See John 11.) Steve wasn't in a tomb for 4 days, but his heart had to be restarted 4 times on the way to the hospital after his recent heart attack, and he was definitely brought back to life! :) We shared a good-natured laugh over that. We needed some comic relief...
Honestly though, I have wondered a number of times why the Lord chose me to serve my mom in this way. My sister is way more patient than I am. And my brother is a psychologist for goodness sake. Surely they are more qualified to give Mom what she needs at this time of life. But every time I think, "I just can't do this...", God tenderly reminds me that He knows exactly what Mom needs and He knows me and He designed this arrangement for the greatest growth in both of our lives. Thanks to those of you who have assured me you are praying.
What is God doing in your life to cause growth? I would love to hear!
