A new normal?

About five weeks ago, life at our house changed.  Larry fell, which he tends to do once in awhile but until now those falls only gave him bruises and even swollen areas around joints but he recovered quickly, probably because he didn't remember he had fallen more than a few minutes so didn't know he should hurt.  He also can't remember what it is like not to hurt so whatever "hurts" he has become normal to him.

But this "fall" was different.  After trips to ER, Urgent Care, a doctor visit, a ct scan, blood work, and a colonoscopy we only know that he has a compression fracture in his back, and a few other normal issues for someone his age (actually he is better than many his age).

But something is wrong.

Now comes the hard part...change in what he can and can't do resulting in needing someone with him all the time.  He is weaker, he falls much more easily, he gets up many more times at night to go to the bathroom and needs help each time, he is less alert, but he doesn't realize anything is different.

For me this means CHANGE of routine.  I can't leave him with others because they can't be with him all the time, deep sleep at night has to be avoided for me, and most of the activities I was involved in before have been set aside.

The hardest part is I don't really know what is wrong.  The tests haven't revealed anything so far, so the question becomes, "Is this the new normal?"

And I liked the old normal.  I liked to be able to go places, be involved, do things with others.

And then comes fear of the unknown....what lies ahead? Is this really our new normal? How can I make this work? How do I get some sleep?

Thinking about all of this wears me out....
    Trying to figure out what is happening wears me out...
          Planning what to do wears me out...
               Worrying about all of it really wears me out.

In all of this I realize just how much I don't like change, the unknown, or being helpless.

Oh, I know what you are thinking... I'm thinking the same thing:
"This should be yet another time to really trust God."

"Trust God."  Boy, hasn't God been teaching me how to trust for the last 36 years?  Hasn't he taken me through lots of other trials to teach me who He is and how He provides and cares for us?

Of course He has and now comes another time, another chance to learn who He is. To watch for Him every single day and rest in His Steadfast Love and Faithfulness.  But along with that comes my mind and the plans and control I want to have.

I really have been asking Him to lay it on the hearts of those I know to pray for me as I am praying for those I know.  And one thing I do know is that I'm not the only one struggling today.... as I just read in Glorious Ruin, "Every person suffers every single day of their life in some way."

One thing for sure....as I am home more...there is time to read more, pray more, write more, and enjoy the presence of my Savior without all the things "out there" to keep me busy.


"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." II Corinthians 4:16-18

Through it all....God

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to spearate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39


What a beautiful morning....cool, clean and charming with flowers still blooming, butterflies still flying, and birds still chirping.  Fall is here with its promise of tall aspen's color, pumpkin pies, chili, and flames in the fireplace.

I love fall and I love spring....but winter and summer are months I walk through enjoying what they

offer but dreading their extremes, times of off the charts heat and cold and all that comes with those.

And so it is with life...

Days of color and butterflies fluttering...
    Days of perfect temperatures and soft flames flickering...
        Days of flowers blooming and pumpkin pies covered in whipped cream...
               Days we give thanks for.... days we see God's presence everywhere.

And

Days of bitter cold penetrating to our bones...
    Days of suffocating heat wilting not only the flowers and trees but our energy....
          Days of little light, allowing the darkness to envelope all the light around us....
                Days of sadness and grief because of want or loss.
Days where God's presence is beyond our grasp.









This is where the indwelling Holy Spirit brings to our remembrance what Jesus taught us; the truth he taught.

"I will never leave you, nor forsake you."

"The thief comes only to steal and to kill, but I have come that you may have life and more abundantly."

"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand."

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle, and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Be comforted and lifted up each of us, in the trials we face today....