I had the privilege of visiting with my dear friend’s mother, Sheila, on Saturday. She’s a remarkable woman who loves the Lord and in my opinion, everyone should meet her. Her life is a living display of what it means to trust in the Lord.

As we sat in the hospital family room, I began to think of all the trials her family has recently faced. Last year, her husband battled and beat cancer. Her daughter (who is just as much of a saint as her mother) has a life threatening heart condition and at the age of 28 had to have a pacemaker. Her grandson Micah is a miracle alone!

But the reason our visit took place in a hospital Saturday, was because her husband has been having strokes (and possible mini seizures) which started this past January. And she’s been his caregiver ever since.

I don’t know much about her situation, but I do know what it’s like to care for someone else’s most basic needs. And not just because my son has a genetic disorder; but because I watched my mom and dad do it (together) for my sister, after she was paralyzed in 1997. I’ve had observational and hands on experience since I was twelve. So I think I have some clout when I say, caregivers have the hardest job in the world. 

So how do they do an impossible job?

So how do people like Sheila do it?

How do people like my mom and dad do it?

I found some statistics at Caregiver.org and even on the CDC website. After sifting through caregiver facts about stress and burn out, I was encouraged to find that the CDC website reported, about 73% of surveyed caregivers said praying helps them cope with caregiving stress. 

Interesting fact. There are currently an estimated 66 million caregivers in our country- giving their time, resources and tears to help someone else. How encouraging to know that they make it through another day because they pray and say amen.

On my drive home from the hospital, it was by no coincidence, I heard the song,  Say Amen by Finding Favour. (PLEASE listen to it if you’ve never heard it!)

This life is a journey we walk by faith
And there will always be the mountains in our way
But right here in this moment, may our strength be renewed
As we recall what God has done and how we’ve seen Him move

If there’s anybody here who’s found Him faithful
Anybody here who knows He’s able
Say Amen
If there’s anybody here who’s seen His power
Anybody here brought through the fire
Say Amen
Anybody here found joy in the middle of sorrow
Just Say AMEN!

Sometimes through the darkness, it’s hard to see
So just be brave and follow where He leads
Greater is the one who’s in us, than he who’s in the world
So child of God remember, the battle is the Lord’s

If there’s anybody here who’s found Him faithful
Anybody here who knows He’s able
Say Amen
If there’s anybody here who’s seen His power
Anybody here brought through the fire
Say Amen
Anybody here found joy in the middle of sorrow
Peace in the storm, hope for tomorrow
And seen time and time again
Then just Say AMEN!

Even in the valley of the shadow when you feel alone in the unknown
Just say Amen, Just say Amen
Even when the storms are raging, Stand and know your not forsaken
Just say Amen, Just say Amen

Is there anybody here, Tell me is there anybody here
Come on and Say Amen

If there’s anybody here who’s seen His power
Anybody here brought through the fire
Come on and Say Amen
Anybody here found joy in the middle of sorrow
Peace in the storm, hope for tomorrow
And seen time and time again
Then just Say AMEN!

Driving home I smiled because I thought that song adequately described Sheila and her family. It also reminded me of my parents. It’s a great reminder not only for caregivers, but for ANYONE who is in the midst of a trial.

What has God brought you through in the past? Have you seen His power and found Him faithful before?? I know we have. And because He was faithful then, He will be faithful now and forever more.

Lift it up to Him and say amen!!!

Yesterday was horrible. Nothing bad happened, I was just in an emotional funk. I let my Monday carry over into my Tuesday. And all that remained from my Monday was frustration.

Monday was Gideon’s ABR (hearing test) and the results came back as expected… His hearing has gotten worse. He’s no longer considered to have moderate to severe loss; now it’s just severe. We knew when we got the PBD diagnosis last August that this would happen. So I wasn’t really surprised by the results on Monday, just frustrated.

Then yesterday morning started out with an unexpected visit from Gideon’s case worker. She came with his Tuesday morning therapist because at her last visit she noticed Gideon was hitting himself much harder. She was concerned because if this behavior is not re-directed, he’ll move on to eye gauging, head banging and lots of other self-destructive/sensory seeking behaviors. Like the hearing loss, this is something we knew could and probably would happen.

But to be reminded of things that are wrong with my son is defeating. And I feel like that’s all that happened Monday and Tuesday. Those two days were a constant reminder of a tiring and sad future.

As I was driving home from my mom and dad’s house yesterday, I lost it. Weeping and whaling, I turned the radio up- hoping my daughter wouldn’t notice…you can guess how well that worked out.

Not only did my 4 year old notice…but she said something I’ll never forget.

It was by no coincidence that the song One Thing Remains (by Kristian Stanfill) was playing at that particular moment; and this line was repeating over and over-

 Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me

After the 3rd time it repeated, Laynie asked, “Mom, are you sad because Gideon is losing his hearing?” I shook my head yes. Then she sweetly said, “Mom, you know, my love never runs out either.”

Precious girl, sometimes I think she and Jesus are in cahoots. I so needed reassurance in that moment and how precious that God used Laynie to remind me of His love.

Of all the reminders I received over the last two days, that was the one I needed most. The past two days I’ve focused only on the negative. Thankfully my focus was re-directed to where it should always be. Jesus.

Yesterday ended with me being reminded of this truth.

He’s Higher than the mountains that you face.

He’s Stronger than the power of the grave. 

He’s Constant in the trial and the change. 

One Thing Remains-  Him

Let this be all that remains when you lay your head down tonight.

Gideon has an ABR scheduled this morning at 9 am. Auditory Brainstem Response is a fancy name for a hearing test and he has to be sedated for it…which means he has to fast- both food and rest.  🙁

He had an ABR back in September and it showed that he had moderate to severe hearing loss in both ears. Because Gideon has PBD chances are his hearing will continue to get worse.

I’m not really worried about it…just frustrated. Days like these I can’t help but look into the future. I don’t visit the future much because it makes me sad. Days like these remind me that things will only get harder as time goes on.

It’s so easy to fall into a pit of despair on days like these- when I feel out of control; when I feel alone; when I feel beat down by the road I’m on. I’m sure you can relate.

I listen to KLove and/or Air1 in the mornings on my phone because I need to be filled with as much of Jesus as I can. The song that was playing just now was by Unspoken. Fitting song for how I’m feeling this morning. Maybe you need to hear it too. It’s called Lift My Life Up.

You brought me this far
So why would I question You now
You have provided
So why would I start to doubt
I’ve never been stranded, abandoned
Or left here to fight alone
So I’m giving You control

Chorus
I lift my life, lift my life up
I give it all in surrender
I lift my heart, lift my heart up
You can have it forever
All my dreams, all my plans
Lord,†I leave it in Your hands
I lift my life, lift my life up
Have Your way in me
Have Your way in me

If peace is a river let it sweep over me
If I’m under fire I know it’s refining me
When I hear You calling out I follow now
Wherever the road may go
I know You’re leading me home

Take my life let it be
All for You
Take my life let it be
All for You

Lord, it’s so hard to do..but I’m surrendering my little man to You (again) this morning…and every morning. Help me to relinquish control as I trust in You. I pray for those reading this morning- that You would help them to do the same. You know what they’re facing. You’re not surprised by any of our circumstances or choices. Thank You for loving & forgiving us… even though we sometimes struggle to trust and love You. Amen.