Yesterday, Steve and I had a romantic date to St. Charles emergency room. Believe it or not, it’s the first time he’s ever been in one. Like most of our ALS misadventures so far, this one ended better than it started and we’re glad for that. Our kids are amazing. That fact stands alone. But yesterday they each dropped what they were doing to care for us in a million little ways, and when it was all done, we hunkered down at home around Chinese food and…donuts. I know. I can’t live this way, you guys. I have to find a healthier comfort food.
We had another long night last night and as I was laying in bed, I remembered a verse a friend had sent me yesterday. I read it first thing in the morning and immediately melted into a sleep-deprived puddle of tears and worship. I’ve never seen this verse from this angle before. Last night I quoted it to myself a lot of times and the deeper meaning started to take root in my heart.
Here’s the verse:
“Behold, bless the Lord, all servants of the Lord, who serve by night in the house of the Lord!
Lift up your hands to the sanctuary, and bless the Lord,
May the Lord bless you from Zion, He who made heaven and earth.” Ps. 134
And here’s my paraphrase, written for all new moms and ALS wives and exhausted caregivers and parents of teenagers and everyone who has ever worked the night shift
Look at them! Do you see the ones who serve the Lord when everything is dark?
They rock babies to the sound of the stars.
They tend to broken hearts and bodies by the light of the moon.
They answer their phones at 2 a.m., knowing the fact that its ringing means their sleeping is probably done.
They pray on their beds for the children they used to hold through the night and can no longer reach.
Giving up comfort, their sacrifice becomes a sanctuary – the place where God shows up.
Now, weary one, turn your affection toward the Lord. Lift your too-full hands to Him and He will bless you back. He will pick you up and hold you as you hold the pieces of your world together. The God who made heaven and earth sees your offering and He will surely bless you.
Psalm 134
With hope,
Bo
Gah. This is amazing. ❤️
Beautiful. Straight to the heart beautiful.
Beautiful. Standing and praying with you today. Love you Bo.
This is so encouraging and lovely and perfect!
Night where the light shines most. Touching the hearts of those whose eyes won’t close. Watching the one that we love so close. As we do them He also does.
Hugs and blessings to you.
Bo – At a Sabbath Rest Retreat on the beautiful Oregon coast led by some ‘Friends’, God showed me that His saints were praying for me even in my hardest nights. Every evening together we closed our day with this prayer from the Book of Common Prayer. The first time I prayed it I dissolved into tears. This prayer is now written into the front-leaf of my Bible:
“Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give thine angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for Thy love’s sake.”
If ever there was a message I needed to read…This was it…The mountain I’m climbing looks like an ant hill compared to the one you and your incredible family are facing. Even so, my mountain is still my mountain and the past couple of days I have been so frustrated and so discouraged. This message is so powerful and it brought me to tears! Thank you so much for sharing this!!! My continuing prayers for you and your family! Big hugs!
BEAUTIFUL paraphrase. Blessed is the Lord!
And don’t worry about your comfort food. You’re allowed to cheat when you’re working hard (both mentally, emotionally and physically with your trail running.) After all, it’s good for your metabolism!
Keeping you all in my prayers 🙂 We love you
Ahhh…hits that deep place in my heart that hurts always.
Thank you Bo. I needed that today. ALS is hard stuff as i am so learning with caring for my mom and watching it take bite by bite out of her. Blessings to you Bo for ministering to all of us in the midst of your own storm.
You are in our prayers as well.
hugs
Hugs and prayers and more hugs.
Such encouragement after midnight…. I so needed this.