An Appointed Time
“To everything, there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.”
Seasons— the passing of time- we all have them. Not just in nature but in our lives. In Hebrew, the word ‘season’ literally means ‘appointed time’. As you and I live each year, each season, we know that not one detail, second, or season of our lives is without purpose (also translated from Hebrew means ‘delight or pleasure’).
It’s been over a year since I’ve written my thoughts and heart in this blog. The last 1-1/2 years have been a very tough and challenging season for me personally. And just now, I am in the process, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically, of wrapping up a ‘season of my/our lives’. I haven’t written mainly due to the lack of emotional and physical energy to do so. Recapping, if you have the time, read the last blog entry from February ’23 and we will segue into this next phase of the season.
My dear sweet mother passed into eternity shortly after her 95th birthday in July of last year (2023). She had a mini-stroke in April which led us to get her on hospice care and was a gift from heaven to us. The nurses and care were amazing, coming twice a week. They helped me handle some things I had no idea I would need to handle. Mom had her good days and bad days, including several falls. She was doing pretty good at the beginning of July and we surprised her with a birthday visit from her son, my brother, who flew in for her 95th. Unbeknownst to us, we only had a few days left. I really think she decided she’d reached that milestone of 95 and was ready to go be with her Lord. She went downhill after her birthday and five days later was ushered into the presence of Jesus and a heavenly family who had gone before her.
I want to thank so many who stood with us this past year and a half. I’ve written notes, phone calls, and personally thanked friends and family. However, with the grieving time and months to follow, I wanted to say thank you to those of you out there who knew this season with my aging mother, and thought of us and prayed for us. Slowly, as my family, and especially myself, have transitioned from full-time care for Mom, we are attempting to rediscover this next season.
I realized recently, that over the 5 years Mom was with us, I became a full-time caregiver, a mother-in-law three times, a grandmother three times, and became eligible for Medicare. What a season! I gained 2 more daughters, another son, and the most adorable grandchildren you can imagine! I put aside traveling with my husband on our mission trips to stay home and care for Mom. I learned things (medically) while caring for an elderly woman that I never imagined I would need to learn (or do!). I learned more about the Father’s love for us and saw His purposes for (my mom) and me through every year of this season. They were some of the best times and hardest times, but… no day was ever wasted. I look back with the fondest of memories and gratefulness to God for all He did in our family and my life during these last 5-6 years. This season was an ‘appointed time’ for me. As I’ve written before, I meditated on the name of Jesus “IMMANUEL” – GOD WITH US “ through 2022 and 2023, and HE KNEW I would need that assurance through those years. I have stories of examples He was definitely with me, and as I organize my thoughts, will share more of those later.
I have felt with Mom’s passing and going into autumn, winter, and now coming into springtime, these months have allowed me to grieve and readjust as I look forward. It hasn’t been easy, but with a recent decision and mission trip, I believe God is moving me to ‘wrap up my season’ and begin to move into a new appointed time of what He has for me. I am not completely sure what that is, or what it looks like, but it will be new. I’m trusting with faith He will breathe new life into my desires, vision, and future. Perhaps only someone who has dedicated years of their life caring full-time for an aging parent will understand the reality and significance of what I am sharing.
I believed with the writing of this blog, it was necessary to update and bring an understanding due to my absence since so much time had passed. I (we) had not dropped off the face of the earth, just taking time to rest, grieve, and allow God to refresh our souls and spirits after years of a family-focused care-giving season.
And so onward---My husband and I just returned from a three-week mission trip to Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia, and Latvia. How’s that for a segue… I hope to share stories in the months to come. I am rethinking the blog, how to write, and how often to write the stories. I may transition to another site; just not sure of the mechanics of that. I hope I don’t lose you, but as I make a possible transition, please be patient, and I hope to be back soon. God is good and faithful, in EVERY season and I look forward to once again connecting and allowing the Father’s heart to bring life to each of us.
Armenia April 2024