pray_for_othersA good friend of ours has in recent days been spending a lot of time in the hospital.  Her husband had another stroke.  Both her and her husband are medical doctors so fully understand the gravity of the situation.  They understand the importance of working with the medical community, but even more important to call out to all their friends and family who are prayer warriors.

What we love about this couple – each day we received a review of the situation along with very specific prayer requests.  It made it very easy to go to our merciful God and ask on their behalf.

My specific requests for our prayer warriors are
1. For relief of the low back pain that has been unrelieved by anything they have tried.
2. Total restoration of. His ability to swallow
3. For an uninterrupted and sound sleep for both of us
4. For his ability to communicate his needs and desires to improve, and finally,
5. That the Lord would give me the wisdom to know how much to push and when to back off.

Please pray that he will get a restful sleep tonight and wake up ready to go to work.
Pray that his pain will be controlled with a minimum amount of medication.
Pray that the therapists will have the wisdom to know how to help him without pushing too hard.
Pray that he will have the stamina to get through the day and make good progress.
Pray for me that I will be sensitive to know how best to help

Pray that he will be able to drink liquids again soon!
Pray for his mind to clear and the confusion to decrease.
Pray that his stamina will increase.
And please pray that I will be able to encourage him to do more than he thinks he can.

Pray that we will be a blessing to everyone who comes in contact with us and that they would see Jesus in us.

What a day! For the third time in a week Steve got to ride in an ambulance.

This has been an incredibly hard day.

BUT soon we hear . . . .

It has been wonderful to receive reports of how God answered prayers on their behalf.

Accepted by Rehab Facility – our prayers are answered and he will soon be on his way! Thanks be to our amazing God!

He not only was cleared medically to go, but we also got a bed in record time at our preferred hospital and the insurance company has given their approval.

He really likes the doctor assigned to him as well as the nurses and nursing assistants he has met. Very positive, caring and responsive.

Well, you all must have been praying up a storm. Today was amazing.

The finishing touch was a surprise visit from our friend and pastor

Today he has been mostly pain free and has eaten well and managed . . .

Meanwhile a bit of time for reflection . . .

Psalm 49 16 to 20Today another update.  While her hubby was resting or in therapy she had a chance to have some time for reflection and shares these thoughts with us.

“There’s something about being in a hospital that makes you seriously aware of the frailty of life. Constantly being exposed to disease, disability, deformity and death will make you take inventory of your own life.

It doesn’t take long to realize that in the end, your net worth, advanced degrees, property, or status in the community won’t matter even a tiny bit. It’s appointed unto man once to die, and after that the judgment.
Rich or poor, educated or ignorant, proud or humble, homeless or living in a million dollar mansion, won’t matter in the end.
Standing before Jesus as our judge, we will all be equal, and we will all give an account of how we have spent our time on earth. Some will hear, “well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into your reward.” Others Will shudder as they hear him say, “Depart from me, you workers of iniquity. I never knew you.”
Which will it be for you? For me?
Sobering thoughts.”

Thank you for taking the time to read our post.  Also, if you could take some time to pray for Steve and his wife Bobbie as they go through this difficult time.  Pray that they will soon be back home and enjoy time together, knowing that the God they serve has much more for them to do in his kingdom.

RICHARD AND ELAINE SIDE