Happy Sunday ladies! First, let me say thank you so much for lifting our family in prayer. You all are the kindest and sweetest women I know, and I’m humbled by each of you.
If you don’t receive my daily email, you might be wondering what I’m talking about. My father-in-law passed away in August, and my mother-in-law now lives by herself. She is 90 years old, and she fell a few days ago and fractured her pelvis and bruised her face.
Many of you shared that you have gone through or are going through similar situations with elderly parents. My mother-in-law has a long recovery ahead of her, but we know God is faithful and no matter what lies ahead, he has her in the palm of His hand.
True peace isn’t found in the absence of problems. True peace is found in the presence of God.
One of the things I often say on this blog, is that life can be hard. I know this because I have lived through some difficult seasons in my own life, and I get emails from women every day sharing the difficult season they are going through. If you live on planet earth, you will have difficult seasons.
I recently heard this segment from Priscilla Shirer. It spoke to me, and I thought it might speak to you too.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog. I’m also on Facebook, Pinterest, and my favorite one, Instagram.
Have a blessed Sunday!
I so appreciate you posting this. It’s more than encouraging to hear other women’s heart cries as we deal with heartache and aging parents. My father died July 11 after a long battle with Type 1 diabeties. Then Oct 4 my Mom suffered a stroke. Yesterday we moved her from her home of 55 years to a small apartment in an assisted living community. Did we do the right thing? I pray we did. It’s so hard. And yet we must push on with Gods help as He continues to mold us. Wish all these women were in my dining room this morning.
Praying for your family, Cyndi. It can be a rough road. I especially pray that the relationship with your mother-in-law is strong.
We are in this season with my parents. It all started July 4, 2017 with my mother’s heart attack. She already had the beginnings of dementia. Then my precious m-i-l passed on July 7, 2017. Then my parents didn’t want any help from us, their children. Followed by months of them going farther and farther down hill. Daddy (91) really couldn’t manage Mother’s (just turned 86) care, PLUS he was refusing care for some of his own illnesses (denial, as he “knew” more than the drs.). We FINALLY got them into assisted living, but other battles have continued…like wanting to keep driving, still refusing care, not agreeing to a realistic price to sell their house, etc. Thankfully, my sister and I are on the same page. My brother has pretty much bowed out. AND, all of this happening while my poor husband was mourning his own mother.
I will say there are blessings. Our children have been a source of support like no other. We have been forced to have discussions related to when these days come for Chip and I. We are blessed to have much closer relationships with our kids than my parents chose to have with us, and this situation has brought us even closer. And when it gets too rough, I just hold on to my precious granddaughter and love on her. Blessings for sure. God will sustain us and make us better if we let HIM.
Good Morning Cyndi & Fellow Readers! Been through the exact same scenario with my Grandmothers. Now we are in that season of our own parents aging. It’s really tough,ladies, to respond with grace,patience, and encouragement sometimes. This where the rubber meets the road for us as Christians. Extending the same attitude, with love, to our own flesh & blood as we do friends. The problem is that we know our folks SO well…all of those relational “default settings” we’ve had for decades pretty much get tossed out the window at some point. It has become a real learning curve for me to realize this yet another opportunity for God to mature me in new ways. I suddenly understood that my parents are STILL instructing me as their daughter…it’s just the method to do that has changed. And that was a true game changer for me in how In approach and help them throughput these days of change for them, as well. Praying hard for the Spiveys, Cyndi!! Be blessed and be a blessing, everyone!!!! 👩🏻🏫❤️
Hugs and prayers to your mother in law and to your family. We lost my mother in law a couple of months ago and my father in law a couple of years prior. Yes, it is hard. I’m just glad I had God back in my life with my mother in law. It really did make a difference.
Please pray for my husband Jeff, he is having surgery Wednesday Oct 31. Thank you. And for your mother-in-law I will keep her in prayer. I work on the floor with hip fractures and i know it can be hard I will keep trusting our Lord for healing of your Mother in law and my husband. Carla
Carla, praying for Jeff right now.
Hey Carla. My husbands name is Jeff too!
I am praying now, as well.
I am praying and thinking of all of you. My 91 yr old mother who lives out of state and lived alone fell about 7 weeks ago. Since that time, she has had two subdural hematomas that have required hospitalization. She was so confused from the second, sudden brain bleed that she couldn’t think to press the button on her life line! I say this as WEEKS later these issues can surface. Please keep a watchful eye for confusion, trouble with numbers, unintelligible speech, etc exhibiting even many weeks later! Blessings to you all!
Susan I’m so sorry your Mom fell but thank you for sharing that information. We will keep a watchful eye.
I understand what you and your family are going through. I lost my father January 11th this year after a long battle with Alzheimer’s and my mother July 11th this year unexpectedly from heart failure. There just aren’t any words, Gods grace and comfort will be with you.
Stephanie I’m so sorry, you have had an extremely difficult year. Praying you are finding comfort in Jesus.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sorry, I didn’t see your post yesterday. Prayers for
you and your family. Have a blessed Sunday.
Sending prayers for her.
I am so sorry. Today marks 9 years without my sweet mama on this earth…heartbreaking day. My daddy has been gone 21 years Oct. 2 . My father-in-law passed 6 1/2 years ago and my mil is just now dealing with it all and moving-it’s so hard on her. No season is easy-just enjoy the journey while we can and look forward to eternity…
Btw, I, myself, was diagnosed with breast cancer this summer and could use some prayers. 2 more chemos then a double matectomy-all while worrying about-I mean praying about my 3 wonderful sons-14, 18, 24-only through the Lord can we have peace and hope!
Thank you so much for your inspiring blog! My prayers are with your MIL and your family for full recovery, support and His strength during this difficult time. We have been there with my MIL falling a couple of years ago and not getting help right away. It is so hard. The Lord will see you through this! He is always ever faithful! Blessings!
Prayers to u this Sunday and your family.
Two friends suffering will listen to Priscilla
Later and hopefully share with them,
Your blog tremendous blessing to many!
Love Priscilla and Tony Evans her father!
Thank you, Janet.
Today my dad collapsed in church . This post was comforting
Linty I’m so sorry, I hope he is okay??
Cyndi,
Thank you for honoring the Lord in all you do.
Taking care of parents is a hard task. I have unfortunately completed the task as both my parents are gone. They both spent time at the end in our local nursing home. The one thing we found is that your family member will receive better care if someone visits often. Also, we were always thanking them for their help and care (even when it didn’t seem quite adequate). It was a difficult time for all of us. Praying for your family and healing for your MIL.
Thank you Lori, it is a difficult time but that is good advice.
Cyndi, I am keeping you and your family in my prayers. My dad had a fall at home some years back, and of course he didn’t have a lifeline or even his cellular phone on him at the time. It’s difficult to maintain independence and safety, sometimes!
A loved ones presence is so very important for REHAB AND for it to. Be at unpredictable times.
I totally agree, Brenda. Some of these places are called “rehab hospitals” and some are just nursing homes. Cyndi, I know you know to watch out at the nursing home type places, but if you choose to go with a rehab hospital, I want to warn you of the pitfalls there. Even though it looks like a hospital, and even though the very idea is to help someone who is in a presently fragile state, you may find they are not staffed or fully equipped to spend extra time (outside of actual therapy sessions) helping someone who is older and delicate. No matter what they say to discourage visits (“the person has to do it herself”), just visit at all times and watch therapy, and make sure she can eat, etc. If she doesn’t feel like eating, and they don’t spend any time encouraging her; the excuse will also be, “she has to do it herself”. I hate to hit you with such awful thoughts, and I hope wherever Mrs. Spivey goes will be wonderful, but the rehab director will definitely give you a pie in the sky picture, and Mrs. Spivey will absolutely need extra tender care in between any therapy sessions. Hugs, hugs, and more hugs, and please tell Mrs. Spivey she’s got a lot of people all over the country praying for her full recovery.
Your currrent situation and mine are so similar right now only it’s my 90 year old mother with the health/ independence/ falling issues. And truly if it wasn’t for my faith and God’s strength and presence in my life I don’t know how I would get through a lot of the days . Your post today is so appropriate for my current day I just want to thank you. I pray and thank you for your faith and sharing it with us daily online.
Carrie so glad this post was helpful. Yes, how would we do it without God’s strength?
Thank you Cyndi. I needed this. One of my favorite verses of all time the one you shared. As hard as it was to get up early to fry chicken I’m sure today’s its been a blessings to serve it to your son and family. I love when my son gets home too. Love to spoil him. Continued prayers for your MIL and strength for you all taking shifts. I’ve been through this very thing with my MIL. I know what it entails. It’s our age where we are empty nester, caring for our elderly while having grand kids. We have to keep our eyes on HIM that’s for sure. Thanks for being real and sharing the video. I’ve done a few of Pricilla’s bible studies and love her.
Yes Kathy we have to keep our eyes on HIM!
Thank you for your timely video and reaching out to others even in your struggles. I will keep your family in my prayers.
Prayers continue for you and your family, dear sister. Lifting your mom-in-love up to our heaven healer, physician, comforter, and father. We know you all are blessing others with your faith, while you are there in care and support for her, but I pray you all will be equally blessed by the opportunities He gives you to be that light, and comfort to others.
Thank you Mary!
I go to your blog everyday for the blessing I receive from your spiritual sharing. Please know God’s light is still shining because of people like you. Press on Godly woman..
You are so kind Wanda. Thank you.
Pressing On,
Cyndi
Cindy, I wanted to tell you that although I have aged out of many of the fashions on your blog (age 70), I read your blog every day for your real and uplifting spiritual messages! Phil. 4:7 has been my lifeline for many years. Please continue your ministry, and I will pray for you and your family as you continue your walk.
Anne thank you.
Cyndi, thank you so much for sharing this video! It is an understatement to say that I really needed this today, especially. I am praying for you and your family that God would wrap His almighty and grace-giving arms around you!
So glad you liked the video. It was a blessing to me too!