"There's a time for everything," the writer said, "for everything under heaven." Events can bring hard questions when we find the ways of a "time" especially hard.
The seasons remind us that change does not mean the end. It is part of a cycle. Even the cycles have cycles, the seasons have changes within their change - cool summer days, hot fall days, warm winter days, snow in spring....
Trusting God helps us deal with life's times and changes. There are silent wonders within every season, every time, every change. In time, we will see them. We may even understand more.
My News & Views
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Reading by a granddaughter-Isaiah 61
Carole Purcell was a main caregiver the last year of her grandmother's life. She read from Isaiah 61 (New King James Version) at her grandmother's memorial service:
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,
Because the LORD has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified....”
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,
Because the LORD has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified....”
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
"You Were Our Focus, Mary Helen"
Mary Helen was our focus intently for one year. Her needs and emergencies came first, and through knowing her in this way we all grew closer to her and to each other during the past many months.
When she first came to make her home with us, she was almost 80 years old.
That was over 10 years ago, and even then we realized that we were taking on a big responsibility that could take us into unknown territory for a long time. Thanks be to God we had His assurance of His help and presence.
What a vital Christian she was! How her expressions of love and affection increased through the end-of-life months! How she continued to share, laugh, inspire, and befriend, and everyone who entered our home came to know and love her.
Jim and I remain amazed at the grace of God to our whole family through her life and love. We are amazed at how much we had to rely on the strength of God, not our own. We are amazed at the faithfulness of God.
What a great privilege each one of us had in different times and ways, through this mission we believe God gave us. And now her caring needs are over, for she is well with the Lord. We remain, full of memories and deeper understanding--yet also not knowing what lies ahead. We thank God for whatever He will make of this, to His glory! The late and sleepless nights she had, the adjustments to changing medications to help relieve her pain and difficulties, the caring by strangers who became part of our daily life, in and out--the medical professionals and the volunteers, such as her reader, Ruth. We remember the shopping her granddaughters did for her, the Maryland Blind Services books on tape, her milkshakes and prunes with coffee (!) toward the last, and special hair cuts and manicures given by granddaughters, the love of grand-son-in-law, and all great grandchildren...the stories shared, the love unspared. We remember now too the kind medicine delivery people from a local pharmacy, the doctors and staffs. So many people we came to know through her needs and her determined value for life.
From Jim and me, and our entire family, whatever load you now carry, be not afraid. God's grace and help are available to all who call upon Him. For us, we believe that one day all good will be revealed.
When she first came to make her home with us, she was almost 80 years old.
That was over 10 years ago, and even then we realized that we were taking on a big responsibility that could take us into unknown territory for a long time. Thanks be to God we had His assurance of His help and presence.
What a vital Christian she was! How her expressions of love and affection increased through the end-of-life months! How she continued to share, laugh, inspire, and befriend, and everyone who entered our home came to know and love her.
Jim and I remain amazed at the grace of God to our whole family through her life and love. We are amazed at how much we had to rely on the strength of God, not our own. We are amazed at the faithfulness of God.
What a great privilege each one of us had in different times and ways, through this mission we believe God gave us. And now her caring needs are over, for she is well with the Lord. We remain, full of memories and deeper understanding--yet also not knowing what lies ahead. We thank God for whatever He will make of this, to His glory! The late and sleepless nights she had, the adjustments to changing medications to help relieve her pain and difficulties, the caring by strangers who became part of our daily life, in and out--the medical professionals and the volunteers, such as her reader, Ruth. We remember the shopping her granddaughters did for her, the Maryland Blind Services books on tape, her milkshakes and prunes with coffee (!) toward the last, and special hair cuts and manicures given by granddaughters, the love of grand-son-in-law, and all great grandchildren...the stories shared, the love unspared. We remember now too the kind medicine delivery people from a local pharmacy, the doctors and staffs. So many people we came to know through her needs and her determined value for life.
From Jim and me, and our entire family, whatever load you now carry, be not afraid. God's grace and help are available to all who call upon Him. For us, we believe that one day all good will be revealed.
Dear friends
Dear friends and fellow Christian writers,
Thanks to all of you who have sent e-mails, cards, and/or flowers to us and also contributions to Gilchrist Hospice or elsewhere.
Your faithfulness as a Christian includes such outpouring of comfort to those in mourning. We rejoice, also, for we remember that "to be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord," as Mary Helen's health aide reminded us on a recent personal visit.
May each of you, whatever you are going through, also know that our prayers are with you, too, for your mission and calling from God, as His child.
In Christ,
Jean Purcell, editor
Thanks to all of you who have sent e-mails, cards, and/or flowers to us and also contributions to Gilchrist Hospice or elsewhere.
Your faithfulness as a Christian includes such outpouring of comfort to those in mourning. We rejoice, also, for we remember that "to be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord," as Mary Helen's health aide reminded us on a recent personal visit.
May each of you, whatever you are going through, also know that our prayers are with you, too, for your mission and calling from God, as His child.
In Christ,
Jean Purcell, editor
E-Mail re: Mary Helen Purcell, 1919-2010
" am so sorry to hear of Miss Mary's passing. I remember when you shared with me that she was coming to live with you and I have offered prayers for all of you since then...wanted you to know I was praying for you at this difficult time.
Blessings,
Leslie
Blessings,
Leslie
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