Post by AutumnGrace on Sept 12, 2017 1:02:33 GMT -5
Angel’s Stroke
I was in prayer a month prior to my daughter having a stroke at age 37. I remember having a heartbreaking concern that something was going to happen to her. I could not shake the feeling. It was one of those things coming back to haunt me for several days. Finally after weeks of this heaviness, I simply asked God if He was going to take my girl.
In my heart of hearts the 5th Commandment resounded in my mind: "Honor your mother and father as the Lord God commanded you, that your days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with you in the land your God gives you." I felt God was asking me if my daughter honored me. I never thought about this before, but now I began to examine how she treated me. In one situation recall after another I found the answer, even though we did not always agree, I felt she truly honor me as her mother. She respected my position & loved me.
After I had this understanding I was directed to realize this Commandment came with a promise. “If you honor your mother & father your days would be long on the earth”
.
Immediately I knew she was not going to die. This gave me great peace and I dismissed the concern. However as I stated in my opening line, she had a stroke. It was a brain stem stroke.
The morning she was taken by the emergency squad into the hospital her son calls me scared out of his wits. I was able to tell him with certainty that his mother was not going to die. I explained what I went through and how the Lord had given me this confidence even before this emergency.
God had prepared me with this information for both of our comfort. He knew how frightening this would be for all of us.
There are many more miracles around this event I will share later, but this one simply show how God loves us enough to prepare us to sustain, even when hard days are ahead.
He did it in the Bible when the prophets spoke and He does it today, often in the still quiet voice in our spirits.
OUR GOD LOVES US ENOUGH TO PREPARE US IN ADVANCE FOR ROUGH DAYS, HIS LOVE FOR HIS CHILDREN IS CONTINUAL & UNENDING.HE SEES OUR TOMMOROWS AND MAKES US READY TO WITHSTAND THE STORMS.
Pt. 2
LOSING WEIGHT
For years, I have had a few unwanted pounds. It was hard to lose even five pounds, no matter how diligent I had been. I like some of you, have tried most every idea out there with little or no results. Nothing would move the scale.
Funny thing, right before my daughter's stroke I went on a simple plan and lost forty pounds quickly over four months. It fell off easily. I was feeling great and full of energy. Walking 45 minutes five times a week and accomplishing many projects I had put off for years because my weight made me feel sluggish.
I had just moved a bookcase and was filling it when the call came...Angel was taken into the hospital on an emergency. Jim was at work so I called and told him Angel was taken to the hospital and for him to pray and get the rest of the week off.
It was already afternoon when they had found out she had a stroke. She was too young and they did not check for a stroke right off. I told them we were coming. Again, I encouraged that she was not going to die. God had made it clear to me.
My sorting project went on hold and I packed my clothes. We left that night after my husband come home from work. My daughter lived six hours from us. I spent the following six months away from my home during the time of Angel’s early recovery. I stayed at the hospital so her husband could go to work and at the rehab center, then in her home.
I could not have endured those physically waring months if I had the forty pounds on me. I needed to be in good health and have energy to be able to be of service to her. To help her walk, transfer, etc. and continue at home therapy. God knew what I needed and He prepared me in advance to be able to endure the coming days. He knew she needed me strong.
Our God cares about us so much that even taking off a few pounds of weight, so I would be in a position to be of assistance and endure, was His plan. He is not blind sighted. He knew what was coming and He knew what I would be required to do. He got me fit to meet the need. That’s why it came off easy.
GOD PREPARES HIS CHILDREN FOR UPCOMING TASKS MENTALLY, SPIRITUALLY & PHYSICALLY. WOW WHAT A FATHER WE HAVE!
Pt 3
SPEAK BLESSINGS NOT CURSES
When my daughter first went into the hospital they spoke some pretty negative things over her. They said she would not get out of the bed or talk much again. This was her future in their eyes. BUT they did not know MY GOD. They did not know HER GOD, or the determination this young woman was made with.
At first she could not speak. She was even given a machine to use because speech therapy was not making any grand improvements. That changed! Today her voice is not always clear, especially when tired, but she can talk and carry on a conversation. She does not need a talking machine.
They said she would not be able to do anything, dress herself, feed herself, or walk. Yet with much prayer she was accepted into Dodd Hall Rehabilitation Center at Ohio State University. They do not take everyone, only ones they feel would benefit and improve.
The doctor From Dodd Hall came to her hospital room and did the interview. Only because God convinced him to believe me when I told him that my daughter was responsive and communicating to me (she could not talk to tell them herself). He asked her if she would work hard and she nodded yes. God opened the door! They transferred her to Dodd Hall for rehab, a place well known for their success stories.
At Dodd Hall my daughter learned everything from scratch. She learned to, speak, eat, brush her teeth, to dress, to transfer into a chair. She learned to use a wheel chair and a walker.
They said she would not progress much after 6 months, BUT again they did not know her GOD or her determination. With her balance being off due to the brain stem stroke, she is not always steady on her feet. Yet 8 years later she is still improving. She has not given up. Determined to walk again.
GOD OPENS DOORS WHEN THINGS LOOK HOPELESS. HE IS A GOOD FATHER & IS ABLE TO GRANT YOU FAVOR WITH OTHERS.
Pt. 4
HE RESTORES OUR SOUL #4
There were many miracles that happened along the way with my daughter's stroke. Her unquenchable love for Jesus is one them. She tells me, the stroke did not take away more than He gave. What the enemy planned to destroy her with became the avenue to bless her. She tells me that she loves Jesus more today than before the stroke, when she was walking her own way independently. She had a measure of faith before, but not a hunger for Him. Now she longs for Him like a dear pants for water.
Some may say how is this a blessing or a miracle? To me, it makes me realize how many times i was placed in a situation i did not want to go through. Which only led me to a better place in my faith.
Our Father cares so much about us and He knows it’s not about the here and now as much as it is about the Here After. This time on earth is a short one, Eternity is forever. Phantom that!
He allows lessons to come our way for our growth. I am a hard learner and often i needed the brick in the head approach. Yet when i have learned the lesson, the journey was worth it and i would never want to retreat back to the before. My daughter told me, if she would have to leave her relationship with Jesus to get back her former abilities, she would not do it.
Our Father will make sure we make it to Heaven. That Journey began with Jesus and will never end. We are His Children.
"He is the author & finisher of our faith," Hebrews 12:2
OUR FATHER LOVES HIS CHILDREN ENOUGH TO TEACH US HARD LESSONS SO WE CAN BE CLOSER TO HIM.
#5
HE PROVIDES
When in need, i have always received gifts of money through unknown sources. i have found it, had it come in the mail without any forwarding address, slipped into my pocket, etc. etc.
The most miraculous one happened when i was at Dodd Hall during my daughter's rehab. i received a card in the mail delivered by an aid. She brought it right into my daughter’s room, handed to me and without a flinch said "you got mail" then she left. The envelope was addressed simply "Mary", Dodd Hall, and the address.
Now Dodd Hall had three floors at least. We were on the third. I know two floors had patient’s. And out of all those people there was only ONE Mary? and i wasn't even a patient!
When you think that's weird, there is more. The card was from someone i did not know, nor have i ever met. It was a simple note, "i know what you are going through, i spent many months with my son in rehab also. It will get better. i am praying for you and your daughter." and a name was signed. The card also held $200 in cash.
After we were out of Dodd Hall, i was able to locate this woman several months later. She explained she heard about my daughter from a friend of hers on fb. Who by the way did not know me personally, only by my first name. The woman felt God wanted her to send me this. She said she prayed over the card and expected God to place it in my hand....AND HE DID.
After this we became good Christian sisters and prayed a lot for one another. Several years later, she went to be with Jesus.
GOD PROVIDES AND HE IS ABLE TO DELIVER INTO OUR HANDS BLESSINGS. EVEN WHEN THE WORLD THINK IT IS IMPOSSIBLE.
HE INTRODUCES THE CHILDREN IN HIS FAMILY TO EACH OTHER.
#6
HE HUGS US
When you are in need God will wrap His arms around you and show you His love. It may be in the face of a stranger, a friend, or a relative that come to your rescue. When you need a place to sleep, not only do they provide a room and bed, they spoil you.
Like my husband’s niece, when my daughter was at Dodd Hall. Her family gave me a room a laptop to use. They provided transportation back and forth to the hospital. They fed me and even bought healthy snacks for me to eat while i was at Dodd Hall spending the day with my daughter. They went out of their way to make me feel special. This is one of the ways God hugs His children.
There is always someone there when you need physical help or an encouraging word or prayer. i have heard people refer to them as angel's, but i call them the hands a of heart of God. He cares so much for us, He simlpy will lay His heart of compassion on any willing human to help his children.
It was the same thing when Jesus came to earth to show us God's love. He willingly laid his life down so we could live again. Then taught us, no greater love than a man has for his friends than to lay their life down for them. That's how much God loves us, He not only loved us to do it, He loved us enough to pass it on.
Jesus was the greatest miracle ever and who would be silly enough to say He was a coincidence.
Miracles are ongoing.
GOD LOVES US SO MUCH TO BE THERE FOR US IN EVERY DAY SITUATIONS.
GOD LOVES US SO MUCH HE SENT HIS SON JESUS INTO THE WORLD TO DIE IN OUR PLACE.
OH HOW HE LOVES US.
#7
GIVES US WHAT IS BEST
When it was time for me to come home after being my daughter’s care provider I was lost. It was all I knew for 6 months. My 24/7 job was caring for my daughter. It was like being on a ship for long cruise. Your legs do not know how to walk on land right off. Water was the pace you have become accustomed to. Same for caregiving or any other thing you have invested a long period of time doing. Nevertheless, when it is time to move on and let go, you just know it. Everyone knows it and feels the time is right.
Before my time caregiving was officially over, Angel and I decided to take a trip to MI. It was Angels first long distance vacation since her stroke. As we were leaving her neighborhood and riding on the backside of her subdivision where there was less housing, we came upon a small dog standing in the middle of the street.
I remarked how the dog looked to be of a breed that would not be running wild. Angel suggested we go look at the dog’s tags and take it home before we left for MI. I agreed.
I got out of the car and moved closer. The dog was about 20 ft. from me and I called out to it “Hi Puppy, what are you doing out here alone? Come here.”
Amazingly the dog appeared friendly and came right over to me. I reached down to see if I could pet it in a non-threatening way. I was allowed to pet its head. I spoke softly. The dog responded happy to see me & was wagging its tail.
I decided to reach down and pick it up and that too was ok. It was a female. When I put my hands on her I could tell immediately she was unkempt. Appearance of a dog on her own for months. Her hair was like a thick wool coat, matted beyond help. I brought her back to the car and told Angel this was nobody’s dog. It had been out on its own for a long time. No collar.
Since we were close to the freeway, a farmer’s field away, we could only surmise that the dog had gotten free from someone. Either she had been in an accident or was mistreated. Her tail was broken & healed in 3 places and one of her eyes was flat. Poor sweet little dog was eating up the attention.
We decided to take her with us on our trip to MI. Angel’s idea. I agree. We stopped and got her a burger and shared our water in a cup. Bought her a collar and leash and finished our Journey to my home. We named her Ragamuffin she was happy to be in the car with us.
During the whole trip the dog acted bonded to me, even though Angel held her while I drove. Maybe because I was the first to pick her up.
When we got home my husband asked the normal questions. I figured Angel would be taking the dog back to her home, after her vacation. But her remark was “Kevin won’t let me have a dog!” No to re-mention the dog was favoring me for some reason and I was sympathetic to its condition. I have a small mothering nature for animals that get hurt or are in need. Generally, this feeling passes once they are in a healthy state and I let them go back into the wild or if domesticated I give then to someone.
After my husband tried to cut off the thick matted coat and Ragamuffin bit him, he decided he would care for the other end, because the frontend bites. He has picked up poop since! Blessing us both 😊
We ended up taking her to a groomer who was able to clean her up with much difficulty, as she nicknamed the dog Piranha. Ragamuffin simply did not trust people and would defend herself if she felt threatened. It seems Angel and I were the only two she trusted (in the early days).
After the groomer’s, Ragamuffin was no longer a shabby dog. In fact, she looked like a skinned rat with whisker’s. Yet, better than before because she was cleaned and the hair would grow again. Due to her new look, she needed a new name. We dropped the Raga part and she became known as Muffin.
Angel went home and Muffin went along for the trip. The following week Muffin and I came back home, my time being Angel’s caregiver had come to an end. She would be hiring a caregiver from an agency and Muffin and I would be starting a new adventure.
My husband and I were still not sure if we would be keeping the dog, so we put off the vet visit until we were certain. A few months pasted and Muffin was stuck like glue to my hip. We had become inseparable. I still had the necessity to care for someone and Muffin needed me, we were the perfect fit.
Muffin, the vet told us, was four years old. She was beginning to trust more, but could be touchy with strangers. She wanted to be friendly with them but only on her terms. Her trust issues have decreased 95% so we just keep an eye on her.
It has been 9 years and this little dog has become such a blessing to me and my husband. We take her everywhere with us. She even sleeps at the foot of our bed. We were never small dog people before, but this one little dog has changed how we view this idea. She wormed her way into our hearts.
God knew I would need something in my transition. And He knew it would take more than a few weeks to get me established back into my home again. So, He brought an angel in the form of a Shi Tzu to be my constant companion. What a blessing she is.
FATHER GOD DOES NOT ALWAYS GIVE US WHAT WE THINK WE NEED, RATHER HE GIVES US WHAT HE KNOWS IS BEST FOR US.
THANK YOU FOR MUFFIN
