CARE PROVIDERS OF THE SICK AND DYING

By Synthia Esther

July 11, 2014

Edna, a devout mother and Christian, was 92 years old when she recently died.  Terri, her daughter and one of my very close Sister's in Christ, cared for her in the nursing home, remaining ever close by her bedside, sleeping on a cot. Terri wrote on the day of Edna's death, “Mother went home today to be with the Lord; fifteen months after three doctors told us she would not make it out of ICU. Thank God for His timing and grace.”

I remembered the Christmas photos Terri sent me of she and her Mother, who Terri had propped up by pillows, both smiling, dressed in red, white, matching Christmas shirts. Despite the hardships they were dealing with daily there was a joy beyond measure that all was well with their soul.  The seasons we often face in life yield forth trial and triumph.  We as Christian's are a blessed people for we know when God calls us home we cross over to be with our Father in Heaven. There is a peace despite the sorrow of missing our loved one's who have passed on for we know we will see them once again.

I learned a lot through Terri's care reports as we touched base by phone. Health care decisions she was making on behalf of her Mother, I knew I would possibly one day have to make as well concerning my aging parents. Do you extend life by all means when it is obvious the body of your loved one has begun to shut down? I discussed several options with my parents, who readily gave me their answers to many “death and dying” questions. I know their responses will one day help ease the decisions I will have to make if faced with such dilemmas. God's providence is great, His wisdom profound, and I have not a doubt in my mind that Terri helped me in ways beyond measure just by my privy of many situations she was going through.

I oftened prayed for Terri and Edna, and knew God was doing a work beyond measure in both their lives. Edna being blessed with the best of care from her daughter, and Terri, despite care giving trials and tribulations, being blessed with the best of memories and love during the last days with her Mother. God uses human love to change us, just as His love provides change through sin's salvation plan (John 3:16-17). Jesus Christ died on Calvary's Cross, rose again on the third day, defeating death and providing eternal life for all who claim Him as their Lord and Savior. Because He lives we as Christian's know death has no sting!

I recalled a testimony I read in the GuidePost book, “God's Work In Our Lives”, Volume 1, page 309, “A Home for Irene”.  Mary Anne Hulford, worked in a large community hospital in Connecticut placing patients in nursing homes. Irene was a patient no one knew, no church claimed, no visitors nor friends inquired about. Irene needed a great deal of medical care however, Mary Anne, could not find a nursing home to take her after months of trying. Ready to give up, she once again cried and prayed, “God, I give you Irene. Please place her where she'll get the best of care.”

Minutes later Mary Anne dialed the number of a nursing home she had dialed many, many, times before. The administration person was not there so the operator connected her to a hallway wall phone. The evening nurse answered and Mary Anne conveyed in desperation her problem. “What's the patient's name?” the nurse asked. “Irene Manion” (name was changed for privacy reasons), was the reply. The nurse then stated, “Send her to us in the morning. I'll arrange everything. She'll get the best of care.”

The nurse proceeded to relate to Mary Anne how, when her mother had died, she'd been raised by a neighbor whom she called “Mom”. Now, after twelve years of looking desperately for that woman, her search had ended. Irene Manion was her beloved “Mom" who would indeed receive the love and best of care she needed from the very child she helped raise.  God works in mysterious ways, His grace, mercy, and love, never failing. He never leaves us nor forsakes us, knows our needs before we pray, and fulfills our every longing providing us the "best of care."  What a mighty God we serve! 

* If you were to die today would you be ready to face the reality of the afterlife like Edna?  Heaven and Hell are real.  If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, please visit our "Salvation" page on this website.  Salvation is "A Free Gift" from God, our Holy Father, Savior, and Friend.

Copyright - 2014 - 2015, Synthia Esther.  All Rights Reserved.

A Prayer of Words at a Death,  by John Donne, 1572- 1631

O Father of all,

we pray to thee for those whom we love, but see no longer.

Grant them thy peace;

let light perpetual shine upon them,

and in thy loving wisdom and almighty power

work in them the good purpose of thy perfect will,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We give them back to thee, dear Lord,

Who gavest them to us.

Yet as thou dost not lose them in giving,

So we have not lost them by their return.

Not as the word givest, givest thou, O Lover of Souls.

When thou givest, thou takest not away.

For what is thine is ours always, if we are thine.

A life is eternal and love is immortal,

And death is only an horizon,

And an horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.

Bring us, O Lord God,

at our last awakening into the house and gate of heaven,

to enter into that gate and dwell in that house,

where there shall be no darkness nor dazzling,

but one equal light;

no noise nor silence,

but one equal music;

no fears nor hopes,

but one equal possession;

no ends nor beginnings,

but one equal eternity;

in the habitations of thy glory and dominion world without end.

Copyright – 2014-2015, Synthia Esther. All Rights Reserved.

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