Today when Al woke up he was irritable once again. I gave him his medications and let him watch Dr. Charles Stanley.
After the program was over a volunteer arrived and together we bathed Al. He whimpered because it hurts so bad when he has to be moved. I noticed an open area on his ear and he had some catheter issues.
I called…
Today when Al woke up he was irritable once again. I gave him his medications and let him watch Dr. Charles Stanley.
After the program was over a volunteer arrived and together we bathed Al. He whimpered because it hurts so bad when he has to be moved. I noticed an open area on his ear and he had some catheter issues.
I called Hospice and his favorite nurse came out and spent not only time fixing the problems but some quality time with him going back over memories. Al has known this nurse since she was in her teens.
She used to fill a pop machine and when Al was there he would watch her and then follow her through the store. I think Al always thought she was a pretty girl. Finally the owner would have to tell Al to stop and he would leave waving bye and with a big smile. Al and I have been going to this same place ever since we have been kids.
The owner always understood Al’s mentality and I will forever remember how kind everyone in the store was to him.
Even as of months back I would take Al in his wheelchair to go in and visit and eat in their lunch counter. No one went without saying hello to Al and asking how he was.
So the time between the two was special today. There was some two-sided conversation too. Al was able to say the name of the store. I don’t know about the nurse but I could hear Al sobbing from the living room.
Other visitors came today also and I have to say there were tears and hand holding and pizza shared. Conversations turned to God and before I knew it we were sharing our own Bible study right here in my living room.
Later the door opened and a surprise visitor came in. It was my friend. I had insisted she did not come up, but she usually doesn’t listen to me. I am not the happiest girl in the whole USA, and there are times that being alone is better than ruining others days.
Al has made it pretty clear through his gibberish talk that he wants to go to heaven pretty bad. Sometimes we could hear him ask how does he go to heaven?
It was just then that a minister knocked on the door.
I let him in and he went straight to Al’s room and prayed for him. Al had quite a few visitors today.
There were many emotions running through the house. Al’s oxygen levels continue to drop. He didn’t get much sleep today.
I was just in there offering him supper. He did eat a small jar of baby food. I was not surprised as he had not eaten lunch.
He began to cry and jabber again but this time I couldn’t understand anything. I hope he was praying and I hope God is listening.
This was the devotion today, and since I got something out of it, I am passing it along to all of my friends also. Hope you enjoy also!
July 31
Defeating the Devil’s Strategies
All of us make tracks through the valley of failure. Then the key question is, What we will do next? Sadly, many believers who stumble give up a vibrant kingdom-serving life for a defeated existence. But failure can also be a chance for a new beginning of living in Christ’s strength.
In pride, Peter thought his faith was the strongest of all the disciples’ and swore that even if the others left Jesus, he never would (Mark 14:29). Yet when the time of testing came, he denied even knowing Christ–and did so three times (Matt. 26:69-75). Satan hoped the disciple would be so wounded by his own disloyalty that his faith would be undermined by shame, condemnation, and despair.
Likewise, when the Enemy sifts believers today, his goal is for us to become shelved and ineffective for God’s kingdom. That’s why he goes after our strengths, especially the areas in which we proudly consider ourselves invincible. But if we’re willing, the Lord can use our failures to do spiritual housecleaning, as He did in Peter’s life. After the resurrection, Jesus met with the disciple personally and restored him, preparing him to become a great leader in the early church. He made it clear that Peter’s potential to serve was defined, not by failure, but by his unwavering love for Christ.
Peter laid down his pride, received the healing Jesus offered, and put on courage with the Holy Spirit’s help. He then risked his life fearlessly to further the gospel, and many came to Christ through his example. Failure was the catalyst that grew in him a stronger, more authentic faith.
Who I am 