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  • Our Journey Through The Valley (86)

    11 May, 2014

    Our "Journey Through The Valley" experienced another reality check yesterday morning when Bev had a coughing episode and struggled to catch her breath. This was followed by another episode in the afternoon. Obviously this kind of experience is very stressful for her. It is also stressful for those who are there to help but who feel so helpless.

    Bev has a chest infection which, in itself, can be treated with antibiotics. But the disease has weakened her upper body muscles and arms so that the capacity to cough and get rid of the congestion is severely compromised. What for the rest of us would be a normal and natural ability - albeit not very enjoyable (!) - is, for Bev, a stressful and potentially life-threatening experience.

    I've prayed for the healing and freeing of Bev's lungs. I suppose my prayer is  energized largely by the stress and sense of helplessness I feel as I watch these coughing episodes. I don't see anything wrong with that. I suppose there would be something wrong with me if I didn't respond like that.

    We have been reading together the book "Fear No Evil" by Rev. David Watson, an Anglican clergyman who died at age 50 as a result of liver cancer. His honest reflections about the questions he asked of God, his focus on worship etc. is proving helpful for us.

    In the midst of all that is happening, we have not lost sight of the many, many expressions of God's love through the activity and care of His people. The provision of a bed here at Aminya, the timing of that provision right down to the timing of greeting cards, visits and phone calls....I guess it's the maintaining of balance that is the tricky part - the balance between what God is not doing and what He is doing.

     

     

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