Soft candle light danced merrily in the muted duskiness of the room. Vibrant red roses perched cheerily in tall vases while luscious, red strawberries set off the edge of the sugar rimmed goblets. Chocolate hearts, clear tulle and white lights wrapped lazily on the table, creating an atmosphere that welcomed one and all to sit down and enjoy the evening!
It was a welcoming sight, one that drew me into the warmth of it's tender embrace. I sat on my chair, listening to the merry sounds of friendship and laughter that lilted all about me. My heart warmed as I joined in with my own table mates sharing laughter, strawberry lemonade and artfully designed appetizers.
My heart filled as I listened to a reminder of how we are daughters of the King and not only does He love and care for us, He also cries with us! He picks us up when we feel like we can't go on and His tears mingle with ours as He encourages us to not give up. Tears welled up in my own eyes as I pondered the depth of meaning that means to my own relationship with Him.
My mind wandered of on other trails, only to return when we went around the table, each speaking words of appreciation and blessing for whose name we drew out of the white, styrofoam cup. My appreciation for my sisters around the table was deepened as I heard others speaking sweet words of love and friendship. My heart overflowed with joy by the oneness I felt with the group around the table. I thanked the Lord for wonderful girlfriends.
My mind trailed on as I thought of the holiday that sparked this special time we daughters of the palace were sharing. While most of the rest of our country either basked in special romantic relationships or desperately longed to be in one, I could spend my day living life to the fullest and basking in the presence of my ultimate Lover and Friend! My Abba is with me and longs to share a daily, intimate relationship with me. His heart is turned toward my hearts and His ear is tuned to my cry. He's right beside me, whispering in my ear promises that will never fail!
I'm distracted for a moment by another thought. Will there ever be a Valentine's day when I will have a special earthly relationship? Will I ever be chosen by some young man with similar visions and passions in life? Will I ever meet someone with whom I'd be positive that we could serve our Jesus better together then separately?
Just as quickly, my Lover Friend guides my heart back to it's rightful place. "Remember, you are Mine. I bought you. I gave my life for you. I love you more then any earthly man ever could. I know you better then you know yourself. I long for a deeper, more intimate relationship with you. I love you. Don't ever forget that. Won't you allow Me to be everything to you? Trust me in all areas, I have your life planned perfectly for you and all I ask of you is that you let go of the pieces and let Me mold them into something far more beautiful then You can ever dream. All I need you to do is delight in Me and find your fulfillment in Me."
My eyes landed on the beautiful little card laying beside my plate. "I know the thoughts that I think towards you, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." My longing, searching heart responded eagerly, "Yes, Lord, I truly love you and desire to delight in You even more then I already am! Just teach me how!"
I thought of something I had read in a book just the other day that impacted my life...
"Can you trust God enough to wait for His direction, His timing, and His best? Can you yield to His design and allow the man He has chosen for you to take the lead, be the pursuer, and be the one to win your heart? Do you believe that God is more than capable of awakening a man's heart towards you when the time is right? Can you wait for your Isaac instead of rushing ahead and creating an Ishmael?
Ruth provides an amazing example: Yield. Submit. Let go of our own agenda. Don't chase after available men. Humble ourselves. Watch. Pray. Listen. Obey.
And then sit back in wonder as God does His amazing work!" Sacred Singleness, Leslie Ludy
Something I realized tonight as I sat pondering these things in my heart is that even if I never do spend a Valentines day with a special man in my life, I know that I will not be 'missing out'. My Father, my Lover, knows what's best for me and will bring just that into my life. My heart has come to rest in the wonderful promise and stability of His never failing love. I know I can safely hide there in the shelter of His wings. It's a wonderful place to be, and one I choose to guard jealously.
The evening drew to a close as the strawberries were eaten, the chocolates unwrapped and savored while Dove promises were shared. The tulle was unwrapped, the roses handed out, and the goblets cleaned up. But deep in my heart, I left with a deeper settled peace then I came with. The knowledge that I am secure in the intense, romantic love of my Jesus. My heart is free to worship, my soul released to praise and I have the freedom to be who I am in Christ! He loves me! He treasures me! He delights over me with singing! He has me graven in the palms of His hands! How can a hopeless romantic of a woman NOT melt in that kind of embrace?!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
I Survived Full Moon...in a Nursing Home!
To think that at one time I heartily scoffed the idea that full moon increased restlessness and anxiety! That obviously was before I came to work in a long term care facility for the elderly.
Last night was 'one of those nights'. I never do particularly rejoice when I'm on the schedule to work Sunday evenings. I'm not sure what it is, but something about having to go in at 2 pm on a Sunday, when everyone else is planning some fun or relaxing Sunday afternoon activity really isn't fun. Anyways, yesterday I dragged myself out of bed from my short nap and made my way over to the Home for my shift on the Alzheimer's/dementia unit.
The shift began smoothly enough. I went about my normal routine of caring for my ladies and making sure they were clean, dry and comfortable. Supper neared and our routine flowed smoothly from one thing to the next. It was shortly after supper when I noticed that things seemed to be rapidly spinning downhill. I looked at Caitlin, my coworker, and shook my head, "this is the kind of night when you wonder if you will ever get done!" It wasn't anything major that slowed down progress, rather, accumulated interruptions that unceremoniously surfaced. A huge bowel movement to clean up all over anything close to it, alarms constantly going off in all directions, and increased confusion in the minds of our dear residents.
I must have ran front to the nurses station 5 times to answer one personal alarm as the lady tried over and over to climb out of her recliner. Finally I got the brilliant idea to transfer her to her wheelchair, and bring her with me where ever I go! That's why, if you would have walked in on the Dogwood hall late evening you would have found her sitting outside various doorways as I popped in and out of rooms assisting my ladies to bed.
I kept finding another one of our ladies in all sorts of odd corners. Multiple times I had to pull her out of residents room and set the room straight again. She pulled covers off the beds, overturned night stands and left her boots crumpled under the sink. She usually was on her spur of the moment snoozes when I'd find her, refueling for her next adventure; her current destruction complete. She's known to do things like this every day, but certainly not so many in such a short amount of time!
We were able to breathe a bit easier around 8:30 when it finally began to look like we were reigning the hall into a resemblance of order. By 9:00, I looked around and realized that we actually had managed to keep up with the demands and everything looked good! But then I was left as the only aid on the hall for the remaining hour. That last hour is usually very quiet. We do rounds and finish up the last odds and ends that got pushed off earlier. Rounds usually don't take me more then maybe 20 minutes, as there are very few people wet that early in the night. Tonight tho, people kept popping up out of bed, pulling their personal alarms and I was constantly sidetracked from my routine to answer them and try to calm the confused minds. It took me almost an hour to finally get my rounds done. It was with great relief that I handed the hall over to the night aides, rolled our brutes full the day's laundry down to the laundry room and clocked out.
And that is when I found out that it was two nights away from full moon. I was reminded again very strongly of why I now believe what I used to call an 'old wives tale'. Full moon definitely does play a big part in the level of restlessness that goes on in our nursing home, and we are the privileged aides who get to practice our hand at learning patience! If you want to come join us, we'd be glad to share the blessings with you! =)
Last night was 'one of those nights'. I never do particularly rejoice when I'm on the schedule to work Sunday evenings. I'm not sure what it is, but something about having to go in at 2 pm on a Sunday, when everyone else is planning some fun or relaxing Sunday afternoon activity really isn't fun. Anyways, yesterday I dragged myself out of bed from my short nap and made my way over to the Home for my shift on the Alzheimer's/dementia unit.
The shift began smoothly enough. I went about my normal routine of caring for my ladies and making sure they were clean, dry and comfortable. Supper neared and our routine flowed smoothly from one thing to the next. It was shortly after supper when I noticed that things seemed to be rapidly spinning downhill. I looked at Caitlin, my coworker, and shook my head, "this is the kind of night when you wonder if you will ever get done!" It wasn't anything major that slowed down progress, rather, accumulated interruptions that unceremoniously surfaced. A huge bowel movement to clean up all over anything close to it, alarms constantly going off in all directions, and increased confusion in the minds of our dear residents.
I must have ran front to the nurses station 5 times to answer one personal alarm as the lady tried over and over to climb out of her recliner. Finally I got the brilliant idea to transfer her to her wheelchair, and bring her with me where ever I go! That's why, if you would have walked in on the Dogwood hall late evening you would have found her sitting outside various doorways as I popped in and out of rooms assisting my ladies to bed.
I kept finding another one of our ladies in all sorts of odd corners. Multiple times I had to pull her out of residents room and set the room straight again. She pulled covers off the beds, overturned night stands and left her boots crumpled under the sink. She usually was on her spur of the moment snoozes when I'd find her, refueling for her next adventure; her current destruction complete. She's known to do things like this every day, but certainly not so many in such a short amount of time!
We were able to breathe a bit easier around 8:30 when it finally began to look like we were reigning the hall into a resemblance of order. By 9:00, I looked around and realized that we actually had managed to keep up with the demands and everything looked good! But then I was left as the only aid on the hall for the remaining hour. That last hour is usually very quiet. We do rounds and finish up the last odds and ends that got pushed off earlier. Rounds usually don't take me more then maybe 20 minutes, as there are very few people wet that early in the night. Tonight tho, people kept popping up out of bed, pulling their personal alarms and I was constantly sidetracked from my routine to answer them and try to calm the confused minds. It took me almost an hour to finally get my rounds done. It was with great relief that I handed the hall over to the night aides, rolled our brutes full the day's laundry down to the laundry room and clocked out.
And that is when I found out that it was two nights away from full moon. I was reminded again very strongly of why I now believe what I used to call an 'old wives tale'. Full moon definitely does play a big part in the level of restlessness that goes on in our nursing home, and we are the privileged aides who get to practice our hand at learning patience! If you want to come join us, we'd be glad to share the blessings with you! =)
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