Premiere fruits of true worship

The feel of her thin warm hand in mine, the fine soft hair running through my fingers as I so carefully place the pin curls.








I love the caress of her arms around me but I most especially love to listen to her pray. She is a
prayer warrior no doubt and when she prays I can almost hear the rush of angel’s wings in motion. Oh

her mind strays now from time to time, but when she prays, she is as sharp as a soldier in battle.
She was and is a fighter, being born with a heart condition and bed bound as a child. A life time of 80+ years, two open heart surgeries, 4 children, 11 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and a stroke.

I look to my hero and the one I call mom, though not by birth.


Looking into the eyes of my mother-n-law I still see the young vibrant woman she used to be. The strong will, sometimes stubborn set of her jaw. Oh so funny and spontaneous. A politically right woman who is not shy to passionately share her opinions, a devout and wholly given to her Lord, kind of woman. A don’t walk out of the door without her hair just so; kind of woman.

I watch her as she cares for my father in law who is crippled with Parkinson’s. His body no longer obeys his command. It betrays his alert mind. I note the way she tenderly wipes his mouth as he no longer is able control his saliva.
I study them hold hands and pray together. I pay close attention as she tenderly lifts the spoon to his lips. I listen to him remind her what she was trying to say as now, after having a stroke, her thoughts have slowed and well she forgets from time to time what she is trying to say or just plain forgets how to say it. Her humor still shows through though.

"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." Psalm 82:3-4


Our decision came on the heels of a crisis. March of ’09 changed our fabric of our lives. My husband and I are not alone as we daily raise our children, work, and care for his aging parents.
More than 20 million in the U.S. alone provide care for an aging parent or in-law.
I'm astonished as I pour over the statistics.

I'm in awe of this great responsibility and honored to look over the most important people in my life along with my husband and two children.

I adore watching my children run up the ramp behind our house to their sweet little home because they know where to get the treats. I cherish catching my mother in law run her frail fingers through my daughter’s strong blonde hair. Or to see my son lay his head on her lap.

We have so many stolen moments together of LAUGHTER, PRAYER, TEARS, STORIES, BOARD GAMES (she is a beast with a pair of dice) AND JUST DOING LIFE TOGETHER.
It's not glamorous; it's not perfect, it's not easy, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish- Psalm 9:18

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I'm unsure of what lay ahead. Sometimes I worry and cry out to the Lord in the darkness of my room...where will the strength come from, how can we do this, am I doing all I can, are they happy, what are my husband’s sister and brothers thinking, and so on and so forth. EVERYTHING is uncharted!
I know, that I know, that I know He is here. His love abounds in this home, He is full of grace and mercy and we are just where He would have us.

As for me and my house we will serve the Lord in such a time as this.

"Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come." Ps 71:17-18

We honor them and in doing so experience premiere fruits of true worship.