Home Away From Home…

This evening I returned to the Northern Colorado Rehab Hospital. This is the facility that helped me after my surgery last September.I was anticipating returning here within the next six weeks or so, but on an outpatient basis. It is helpful to see nursing and care staff that know me and will help me with a quick rebound in my physical strength and recovery.

I learned today how helpful it is to have a care team that knows your background and that can adequately assess your needs. One of my morning visitors at the hospital this morning was and education nurse who introduced herself and said, “I am here to talk to you about your congestive heart failure.” To which I responded, “My what!” What followed was some interesting information. Technically the septicemia and infection I had put my heart in that category by definition; however, there seemed to be only a cursory correlation between my medical crisis and the response of my heart.

This concept of accurate assessment reminds me of a definition of love that I used I my premarital counseling and weddings. I picked it up from Dick Foth and it is based on John 3:16. “Love is the accurate assessment and adequate supply of another person’s needs.” That’s what God did for us through Jesus. He saw we needed a savior (accurate assessment), so He sent His son the adequate supply needed for us to have relationship with Him. When that process takes place in relationships, in marriages it is love in action. You get specifics, not generalizations. You get progress, not frustration and complications.

During my waiting period it was good to have Pastor John Engle come for another visit. What an encouragement he is with a great heart and background of loving and caring for people in need.

Also, Ted and Murlene Grizzle came to the ready and delivered my power wheelchair to the hospital so I would have it here at the rehab facility. While we visited we discussed the importance of staying focused upon the Lord and not losing, “heart.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 are great verses that I have referenced to some degree in the past. However, these verses are especially relevant for my current status.

2 Cor. 4:16-18 (ESV)  “…we do not lost heart…for this light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

 So we pray, “Lord give us spiritual eyes to see what you see and to be strong in heart trusting you in the work you are doing in our lives.” Amen.

 Please pray for …

Strength recovery and reduction of fluid retention

Encouragement and strength for my physical and spiritual “heart”

Doctors to demonstrate God’s love through the accurate assessment and adequate supply of my medical needs

Debbie as she covers her patient load and I am away from home