Facing Life’s Challenges

I feel like I am definitely living in some challenging times. It is nothing others have not already gone through and certainly many have gone through much worse. For those that do not know I, along with my sister Pam, am caring for my Mom following her hip fracture three months ago. The hip fracture itself has been the least of our issues as it is apparently healing as it should. The issues that have been so hard to overcome have been repeated urinary tract infections that often lead to confusion in some elderly patients. Coupled with this has been a bout or two with pneumonia and what you end up with is an inability to do the necessary rehab to get better and resume something of a normal life.

The challenge for me, besides seeing my mom’s health decline, has been the miles and miles of driving between Fayetteville and Canton or Roswell or, most recently Jasper. I can not tell you how many miles I have driven. Am I complaining? No, I am not complaining but I am tired.

Why am I writing of something so personal? Because I know that you too walk through hard times. I have not mastered how to do this and it is not something I ever want to get good at, if you know what I mean. Yet, I would like to share with you how I am dealing with this.

You have probably guessed the obvious- prayer. I know I pray but I also know others are praying for me. Thank you! Along with prayer, time in the Word of God has held me together. But then there is a great church family at Woolsey Baptist Church. I do love this great church. I am a man that is has been greatly blest by our Lord to shepherd this flock. And then, my sweet wife- so understanding, so supportive, so unselfish, so willing to help carry more of my load so I can do what I can for my Mom at this time. She gladly gave up her Mother’s Day for a long Sunday afternoon drive to the hospital that included a lunch stop at Subway and a supper stop at Arby’s. How’s that for romantic dining? What a sweetheart she is! Many talk about surrender and sacrifice, she lives it and it is just one of the reasons I love her so much. By the way, I am so proud of Kari as well. She gave up a lot too on Sunday afternoon including a ride in the old folk’s car! Watching her feed her Meme and serve her in other ways was a sweet time.

So there you have it- or at least some of it. Just thought it might be worth letting you come in close and maybe see something that can assist you as you face life’s challenges.