Hebrews 4: 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
The past several weeks have been challenging for my family. My grandmother suffered a stroke a few weeks ago that sent all of our family rushing to her bed side and then struggling with her during her transition to a rehabilitation facility. My grandmother was a graceful, modest, joyful person. As many of you have witnessed in your own families- it is so difficult to see loved ones go through health struggles, especially the kind that take from them a little bit of their memory or personality. She powered through her rehabilitation and during one of her physical therapy sessions collapsed from what we think was yet another stroke. Our family again rushed to be with her as much as possible. Late nights, early mornings, and many moments of love and prayer around her bed. A few days later during the night as my sister and cousin slept by her hospital bed, she took her last breath. Even in her last moments- our grandmother was beautiful, classy, and perfect. I am so grateful to call her my "Mimi."
Here are some of my favorite more recent pictures and times with Mimi...
Sid's 4th Birthday- Mimi was always up for a good time!
Madelyn's 1st Birthday...
A visit at Mimi's a few months ago..
When she first met Madelyn... She was a mother of 4- so a pro with the little ones :-)
A note from Kate about Mimi... it says "My grandma is dying. But I am a little OK because God will watch over her." That's right, sister. God is watching over her...So sweet...
On the morning of my grandmother's funeral. I ironed Sid and Maddy's clothes. I rarely iron, but I wanted to have them look nice and respectful- after all this is a woman that probably ironed her sheets :-) Madelyn came into my room and sneezed. I wiped her nose and long story short, as I walked across the room to throw away the Kleenex (your welcome, Mom- who always says, "Southern girls say 'Kleenex'"- not 'tissue'") Maddy pulled the iron down and burnt her hand and arm significantly. Thankfully, Daddy was home and rushed her to the doctor. I spent most of the morning crying on the floor and trying to pull it together so we could make it to Mimi's funeral on time. Madelyn received prompt and good care. She was bandaged and home in time for us to get the kids ready and make it to the funeral on time. Praise God!
Here she is before we left for the funeral...
That morning, my grandmother's funeral was a beautiful tribute to an amazing, God-fearing woman. The Pastor shared with us one of my favorite passages of scripture, Psalm 23-
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Next the Pastor spoke of God's mercy, His love, and His grace that is given to us through our Salvation. God planted a seed in my heart that morning that has grown and carried me through the past week. As a Mom, like many of you, I felt sooo bad about the incident. I felt a lot of guilt and turmoil in my heart. God has shown me time and time again this week of His mercy, His love, and His grace. We went to the doctor's office daily last week and will go every 2 days this week. Madelyn has been super strong and in the times that I thought I wasn't going to be able to hold it together, God has made His supernatural power evident in those very moments.
Two such moments were in the doctor's office where I held Madelyn as the doctor used tweezers and scissors to cut off some of the blistered skin. The goal in doing so is to remove tissue that was left after the blister fluid was released so that bacteria will not have a place to fester and cause an infection. The doctor explained that this can be extremely painful. That just air hitting the tender under skin will be very uncomfortable. Madelyn sat quietly and talked with me about the bumble bees and butterflies around the room. She then would look at her hand and arm and just watch as the doctor tore away the first layer of tissue from her wounds. The doctor and her nurse continued to comment on how she could not believe the unusually high pain threshold Maddy must have- that most of her patients at this point would be held down and screaming. I told her that it was God's gift of mercy and grace to me. I totally wanted to break down crying at that point. Just so grateful that she did not seem to be in pain and that God was pouring out His love to me in a perfect way that I desperately needed at that moment.
Today we visited the doctor again for another dressing change and cleaning. The doctor offered Maddy a lollipop and then began to do the same drill- pulling away, cutting, cleaning, etc. She again commented on what an amazingly laid back and pain tolerant child she is... This time I really couldn't watch because her wounds are mostly open now and they look red, irritated and painful! As I looked around the room and talked with Sid about the animals he was reading about she licked her lolly and started sweetly singing "Jesus loves me..." "Jesus loves me..." Again, tears filled my eyes and I stated to the doctor, "Is she singing Jesus loves me?!" And she agreed that indeed she was- I have never heard her sing that before! God's grace, His mercy through her quiet, sweet song- showered over me like a tender light rain, refreshing my spirit.
Gratitude. I am so grateful that during times of trial I have Hope. Hope that is not temporary, but eternal. I have forgiveness. True forgiveness, over and over again. I am not a perfect mom, perfect wife, perfect granddaughter, or perfect person. But, I serve a perfect God that fills my shortcomings with His grace and love. I am eternally grateful.
Madelyn smiling after receiving a special bear from my Soul Sisters! Thanks girls- she loves it! Maddy has compensated beautifully- as seen here playing with a toy with her good hand and holding her bear with her other one. :-)
Thanks, ya'll, for your prayers, kind words, notes, and gifts to my family during the past several weeks. We are so blessed to have each of you in our lives. We are continuing to pray for quick healing and no pain for Miss Madelyn. My prayer is that by Saturday morning she will be able to have minimal or no bandages! :-)
2 John 1:3: 3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.
