Lake Deaton at Home

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Witness: Kristine Gray

Scripture: Philippians 4:13

Weekly Theme: Love

In 2007, my mother was 83 years old.  She and her husband lived in a small suburb about 50 miles west of Chicago and 65 miles from where my husband and I lived in Lombard, Illinois.  I never thought of a time when Mom’s husband could pass away, and she would be alone.  They had been married 34 years, and I thought their life together was okay.

Mom’s husband suffered a massive stroke and died shortly after.  Now, what to do.  I found out their financial situation was a mess, and there was virtually no money except for a small monthly Social Security check for Mom to live on.

I prayed that Christ Jesus would be with me and help me figure this all out and find a place for her to live that would be closer to me and be somehow affordable.  I worried a lot.  I had to get her finances taken care of and sell her mobile home quickly.

I worked hard and continued to pray daily.  Little by little, my prayers were answered.  I found a low-income apartment, which was nice and only 6 miles from me.  She lived there for nine years until she needed some help and moved to an assisted living facility.  Three years later, she required skilled nursing care, and she is still living there at age 97.  What a blessing!   She often wonders why she is still here, and I genuinely think it’s part of God’s plan.  Each birthday is a gift.

In each of these stages for Mom, I have prayed, asking Jesus to continue to give her quality life in her remaining time on earth.  God has answered my prayers, and I continue to be so very grateful.

Daily Prayer: Lord God, we thank you and praise you for the wondrous gift of your love for us.  Keep us faithful and help us to live according to your will.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.  

Discussion/Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever been in a situation when trying to help your elderly parents, and somehow things do not seem to be working out?
2. How do you handle worry?
3. How do you handle a situation that seems hopeless?