August 1, 2013

It is Thursday, Aug 1st, and I am counting the days now until I can come home. I’ve tried not to be too anxious because that only makes the time drag out. My mornings are quite full. I don’t get to spend them with Jesus, not because the coffee is so bad, but because they get me up here at the crack of dawn and get me ready for rehab by 8. Jesus would never leave me because of bad coffee, even though it is not to be called by that name. I get breakfast and am hurried off to the PT room, then to the OT and finally to a speech therapist. She is trying to improve my gravelly voice and actually is doing a great job. Besides being a Christian, which makes her my favorite, she is as cute as a button. Also she has the most amazing fingers. She massages my jaw, my neck and my shoulder muscles. I think I have died and gone to heaven while that is happening. My neck is full of arthritis and is very stiff. She makes it all loosen up so I can smile wide and long. This all takes up the morning and wears me out totally. I have lunch and lie down for a long nap.

My afternoon is full of interruptions. That’s why I always had coffee with Jesus first. I am ashamed to say that here I have to fit Jesus in to whatever empty slots are there. I do talk to Him as often as I can though.

Jesus is in my mind all the time here. There are so many sad stories. Some of them I know, some I have to imagine. One man sits in the hall all day. He looks like he was very attractive and athletic at one time. He wears his Detroit Tigers baseball cap constantly. He is tall, has iron gray hair and very black eyebrows giving him a rather commanding appearance. His eyes are large and very brown, and – totally empty. It is so sad, those eyes. Is there someone in there? If not, where did he go? Did he know the Lord and if not, is it too late? Does our Lord address this anywhere in His word? I’d really like to know.

I am so proud of the aides who are very kind to all they take care of. They are special to our Lord, I know. He loves that kind of love. However, all of them are not so loving. They take good care but I heard one of them call a patient “Shaky”. Not to his face, of course, but it is disrespectful and it hurt to think of what they might be calling me behind my back. Our words hurt mightily. God want us to have self control especially when our tongues get wagging. Probably one of my worst areas.

I went down to occupational therapy just a few minutes ago. There was the man in his Tigers baseball cap. He has been sitting so long that he can no longer straighten out his legs. They make an effort to remedy that with weights, etc. and he does not protest nor does he react at all. They continue to work on him constantly telling him to close his mouth and to swallow. Finally! He closes his mouth and seemingly swallows the drool. They praise him greatly and guess what? There is a tiny little quirk at the corner of his mouth and even a hint of a dimple! What a victory! Such a small gain, but a gain nonetheless. God works on us in such very small increments too. And He is just as elated over our tiny gains.

How much I love getting your comments on facebook or on my web page. Also, I look with anticipation through the e-mails, hoping to hear from anyone. Thank you for thinking of me. I am so blessed to have all of you as a part of my family. Jesus’ presence is through your presence and so I thank Him for you. God bless and keep you safe until the next “Coffee with Jesus.”