Mom’s fall happened at a bad time.
With three grandchildren visiting, Mom to care for, and a lack of sleep, now (Saturday afternoon) did not seem a good time to cope with a fall.
The next morning at 4:30 a.m. Mom was in pain, so an ER visit was necessary. I called my daughter Courtney to pick up my grandchildren instead of taking them to Sunday school and church. With a heavy heart, I made a choice that left me questioning my ability to choose wisely.
The enemy attacked my mind but Jesus’s voice led me to His word.
Recorded in I Kings chapter 17 we find the account of Elijah the prophet and the widow at Zarephath. She’d obeyed the prophet and used her last bit of oil and meal to bake bread for him rather than first feeding herself and her son. True to the man of God’s word her barrel contained meal and her cruise contained oil until the three-year drought was over. They ate each day and enjoyed the blessings of obeying God’s word.
Then the widow’s son died. She indirectly questioned the prophet and directly questioned herself. Was he truly a prophet and did her past sin cause the death of her son? Elijah prayed. Her son was resurrected which proved the prophet’s call and her past sin had not caused her son’s death.
I questioned whether my decision to take Mom to the ER, rather than my niece taking her, had hindered my grandchildren’s church attendance. Would this have a negative eternal effect on them? Why had God let Mom fall on this particular day and why had He interfered with my well-intended plans?
Like the widow, I questioned God and myself. Our need to nurture and protect our offspring can cause us to blame ourselves rather than see what God is doing. The truth is, even when we don’t understand, God is working.
God resurrected the widow’s son in Elijah’s day and He can resurrect our disappointments giving new life to our discouraged hearts. I’ve learned my influence is not necessary for the spiritual well-being of my grandchildren. God gave Jesus to finish the work of saving my grandchildren. Perhaps it was in God’s plans to remind me of this spiritual truth. Why now? Why not?
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Psalm 42:5
Yours is an inspiring message of love, trust, and faith. You are following God’s command to honor and care for your mother–and you do so with grace. What a wonderfu example you are for your family. Your grandchildren will learn from your sacrificial love.
My daughter often tells me that her children are learning from my example, yet that perspective is difficult to keep. Thanks for your comment Katerhine.
This is really good. I fall into the trap of thinking so much depends on me that really doesn’t.
That might be a generational thing for this boomer, or it might be a pride thing for this sinner.
Love the lesson here!
Perhaps we females feel overly responsible for our families, friends, and careers. And it could be a generaltional boomer thing and human pride probably plays into this senario too. Cancyce, thanks for commenting.