HE IS ABLE.... Let us expect more, and ask for more, encouraged by what Christ has already done for our souls. He is mightier than what confronts us- (In the case of this, my first painting post surgery, He is mightier than my impaired vision-) We are to bear up under it in a way in which glorifies Him, by calling on Him, ascribing strength to Him, & by praying through the difficulties as they serve to purge our dross. <3  "He Satisfies~ Isaiah 58:11." Colored Pencil, 2013 "The Hidden Blessings of Alzheimer's" When my Dad suddenly passed away in the summer of 2001, we felt God calling us to take a leap of faith and move from Texas to Illinois to take care of my Mom, Marie Dubuque, as she journeyed through the stages of Alzheimer's. We learned much during the years of caring for her. Mostly, we learned that God can use anything, even this ugly disease, to heal relationships, to grow us in grace and to deeply trust in His tender, loving, care. Beautiful things came from our caregiving experience and as we move forward we feel it important to encourage others to trust God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, in every circumstance in which He places us.....  "Forevermore." Soft Pastel, 2012 "Reconciling What Happened to my Mom with God’s Goodness" What we KNOW:
 What a beautiful object lesson God gives us by looking at the oyster! Pearls are formed by a small grain of sand, which is a constant irritant to the oyster. It's the irritant that produces the gem. Likewise, many of the good things God has for us come to us seemingly as irritants and under pressure...  “His Careful Watchfulness” Computer Generated Watercolor, 2013 God governs His world in infinite wisdom. Everything He has created and all their actions are continually under his careful watchfulness. The eye of Providence is quick- sighted, it is intent, it runs to and fro, it reaches far. No corner of creation is hidden from under it, not the most dark nor distant, for He is eager to show Himself strong on behalf of those who are committed to Him.  “Your Mercy” Acrylic, 2013 One of the unique things about being a caregiver is that you continually bump into your sin. I wish I could report that the years caring for my Mom with Alzheimer's were all characterized with gentleness and peace but sin abounds in this fallen world. Continually answering your loved ones questions over & over every hour is exhausting. Impatience, anger and frustration with their new in-abilities wells up. ....  "My Shelter" Watercolor "But does she still know who you are.....?" There was such an emphasis stressed in that question. I wasted so many hours worrying about how I would react when this awful 'dreaded moment' would occur. It happened during one of the most tense parts of our day. I was coaching my Mom on how to put her clothes on. "No! Put your hand in this hole! Put your socks on your feet.” She set her socks on her lap, let out a sigh and looked straight at me. "So, now, tell me who you are?" My heart skipped a beat but what fell out of my mouth still baffles me to this day. I was so focused on HER and how frightened she must be feeling if she didn't even know me, the closest person to her...  "I Shall Not Be Moved." Soft Pastel, 2013 What is it to "set the Lord before me?" It means to focus our gaze on Him, resting in all His fullness, trusting and believing His promises. If we set Him before us and come to a fuller knowledge of His sufficiency, His holiness, His faithfulness, we deepen our trust in Him and we will not be moved. He promises to "indeed go before us". (Duet. 31:8) Will we choose to trust Him? | ArchivesMarch 2014 CategoriesAll |
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