“Pay attention to your father, and don't neglect your mother when she grows old.”—Proverbs 23:22 (CEV)

I am going to be honest. The past few weeks it has been difficult for me to write with a clear head. I ask for grace. While I know people would understand me skipping a week, writing is therapeutic for me. I am not going to listen to the lies of the enemy and not have a post today.

This past week hasn’t been much better than last. Another hospital visit, but this time my mother was admitted. Between being at a hospital and setting up new living arrangements for my mother, I am feeling emotionally depleted. She had a fever for a few days along with a swollen knee, which also felt warm to the touch. They did have to take a culture from that area and while the doctor was at it, she also cleaned out the knee. She will probably be using a walker for a few weeks. Thankfully, there is someone that can spend the night to keep an eye on her, so my family and I can get some rest.

For her to get the best aftercare, she will need to move into an assisted living facility. We don’t know for how long. Since I will be the one having to help care for her, it made the most sense to have her closer to me. Now she will be an 8-minute drive versus 45 minutes. My brothers, their wives and my husband and I have been busy trying to get it all set-up for it to feel as much like home to her as possible.

I have struggled that both my knitting ministry and YouTube channel have been put on the back burner. It has been 2 weeks since I have been able to join them or post a video. As hard as that is for me, I have peace knowing God has me where He wants me. I even had a few opportunities to give away some knit gifts to healthcare workers that have helped with my mother. I will share about one of those special moments in my post next week.

As I have reflected on how God is using me to meet my mom’s caregiving needs, I thought about how our roles have reversed. She cared for me during my formative years. Now it is time for me to return it to her. She was also there for me to help care for my children that first year after my first husband’s death. We lived in my parents’ home, so she was like a second mom to them.

Even though it is going to be a whole new role for me, having her in close proximity, my life should start getting back to “normal” for me. It will be a new normal, but soon I will be able to join my knitting friends and post on YouTube. Again, I have no idea whether this is temporary or permanent, but God knows the big picture. I continue to trust Him in this chapter of both my mom’s and my life.

I even filled out a volunteer application where my mom will be residing. I will see how God is able to use me. I may even enlist my Knit, Pray, Crochet group to make some of the Walker Woolies that are featured in my Knit, Pray, Share book. They were inspired from when my late mother-in-law was using a walker in assisted living. While I would love to knit one for my mother, I have yet to find yarn that knits up in leopard print, so have purchased one made from fabric for her.  

Whatever you are facing in life, none of it takes God my surprise. His plans for us are always bigger than whatever circumstances may be consuming us. Yes, this is a difficult season, but I can’t imagine how I would cope if I wasn’t a follower of Christ. No matter what is going on, Jesus is there with me. I feel the prayers being lifted up on my behalf. As the Lincoln Brewster lyrics sing, There is Power in the Name of Jesus. AMEN!

Father God,

Yes, there is power in the name of Jesus! Forgive me when I get let circumstances steal my peace. There have been days where I don’t know how or what to pray. Thank You for the intercessory prayer warriors You have put in my life. Knowing You are with me and by my side is how I get through each day. I lift those up to You who are feeling emotionally depleted with caring for a loved one. Give them the energy to take care of themselves even when they don’t feel like it. Carve out time for them to spend time in Your Presence. I pray these things in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.

March Verse

“This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.”—Psalm 91:2 (NLT)

If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give away, please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.