A Beautiful Drive

          It was a beautiful day for a drive.  Fall was just beginning and we hadn't been able to take a longer ride for several months.  Dianne had knee replacement surgery and wasn't able to drive since July and I have had to stop driving because of various physical challenges.  It has been very hard to be confined to our home for many months.

          But I had a medical appointment and had to see a doctor in Hershey.  Now that is only about an hour from home but it was a great excuse to go for a ride.

          The leaves had not yet started to change but the fields of corn were harvested.  Pumpkins and mums were everywhere. The air was cool.  It was beautiful.  We have so much to be thankful for.  Unfortunately, the medical visit was expensive and a waste of time.

          But as we drove, I couldn't help but think of the poor people in Florida who were at the moment being devastated with winds, floods and tornados.  Many were losing everything.  Some were losing their lives.  My heart aches for them.

          And at the same time folks around the world were in dangerous places due to wars and terrorism.  What is happening in Ukraine and Israel is horrendous.  I am beginning to think that the only hope of avoiding World War III and seeing peace might be the rapture.  And I am ready for that.  At least that would also give us relief from the terrible election news and ads that fill our lives.  But I guess that is another topic for another day.

          I have become more thankful for what I have.  God has been so good to us.  Each day I need to pray for others who have these desperate needs and thank God for His goodness to me.  Thank you Lord.

Help, Help!

           Have you ever needed help for a particular need and you received the following response from your friends – nothing?  Or more likely – "I'm praying for you."

          During the past two months we have had some needs. Dianne had knee replacement surgery and since I am not driving now, we found ourselves isolated without any transportation for needed appointments.  But with the help of two of our assistant pastors, an elder and family members, we were able to schedule 14 trips.  While this was a tremendous help, I only had to cancel two doctor appointments.

          We were also able to get help planting flowers twice and another neighbor helped us get our newspaper every morning.  Several family members helped by bringing us our mail when they were in our neighborhood. Meals came from Meals on Wheels.

          But what I really missed was the fellowship of friends, especially those from church.  However, I did have some when our pastors provided transportation for us.  That was really appreciated.  And our family did visit and call regularly.  Two women from church also called and a group from church wrote regularly.  That was appreciated.  There is nothing like visits from friends when you are isolated at home.

          The biggest surprise came when our oldest son took an early retirement from the bank.  He discovered several things that needed to be done at our house.  First, he found several shelves of outdated cans of food that were in our basement which we hadn't been able to access for months.  He got rid of all of them for us.  Then he cleaned out our basement freezer which we also had not been able to use for months.  Threw out those old items.  Then he located cans of old paint which he took out to the landflll for us.

         But he wasn't done yet.  He had a dumpster delivered to our house and he and his brothers and our grandson spent hours cleaning out old materials from our garage and basement.  A whole dumpster was filled and there is enough left for another load.  When my wife is well enough to do steps again, they will take her down to continue this work.  Unfortunately, I doubt that I will ever be well enough again to join them, but much has been accomplished – unexpectedly.

          But, as I've been saying, God has been good to us.  And despite our problems, He is still taking care of us and providing what we need, when we need it.  He responds to our pleas for help in His time!

Some Updates

          As some of you know, the last few months have been a challenge for us.  Dianne had knee replacement surgery which left us with no driver and me as her caretaker.  This meant that we had to find a driver for everything and it meant that numerous things around the house just didn't get done.  But the Lord provided the help that we needed often just when we needed it.
          But now I want to give some updates for those who have prayed.
          First, Dianne is doing much better.  She is in rehab and learning to use her cane.  She is still not sleeping in bed, but she IS DRIVING!  PTL!  That is a major step for us.
          Last week a dermatologist took a growth off her cheek and sent it to be examined.  PTL we just got a report that it is not cancer.  What a relief!
          But some challenges remain.  Because it hasn't been used, our second car is in our driveway with a dead battery.  That is a challenge to get repaired when you have just one driver.

          I still have not gotten any help or relief from my physical problems and I have some new ones to deal with.  I have appointments with two of my specialists in October but I don't have much hope that they will help this time.  I am praying that the Great Physician will step in and provide the help that I really need.  Living this way has been very hard.

          And finally, some sad news.  For the past year a kind neighbor has been bringing our newspaper to our front door each morning.  The delivery lady will only throw it to the end of our drive and that leaves us with a long walk.  And that is hard when neither of us have been able to walk.  We have really appreciated his service – in rain, cold, ice or snow.  But yesterday we received an e-mail from his wife telling us that his dementia is worse.  He is no longer able to drive and he must wear a tracker for his wife to take care of him.  This is so sad.  Please join us in praying for this kind neighbor.

          God has been so good to us and we thank and praise Him for that.  Thank you, too, to those of you who have been praying for us.  We love you!

A Sad Fall Season

          Fall – my favorite season of the year.  Cooler temperatures, beautiful colors, mums, football and baseball play-offs.  Wonderful time of the year - but not this time.

          This year it has been ruined by a very nasty election.  We have candidates who don't deserve to win who are tearing each other apart with an abundance of nasty ads.  And the ads are everywhere.  You can't even watch a sporting event without political ads during every break.  It is disgusting!

          Now if anyone really wanted to fix it – which they don't, here is what I would suggest. Put a limit on each ad – how about 8 total anywhere for each ad before it must be retired, or junked.   Each time it is shown anywhere it goes against the limit.

          I am also bothered by the ads themselves.  I am amazed by the number of mothers and grandmothers who protest that their daughters will have their freedoms taken away when Harris wins. What they are saying is that they want their daughters to have the legal right to kill their grandchildren through abortion.  It is hard to hear people push for that opportunity.

          I am also sad to hear current politicians claim they are going to fix the economy when they are elected.  I would like to ask them why they didn't do that during the past four plus years when they were in office.  Why should we trust them now?

          Well, there is much more I could say, but it wouldn't do any good.

         Instead, I rest upon the knowledge that the Lord knows all about it and that is good enough for me.  But unless He does a major miracle in November, I am praying for the rapture.

No Higher Calling

Sometimes there are special choruses or hymns that are too important to limit just to my hymn blog.   This chorus is one of those.  So this week I will share it in both.  This blog will be in my hymn blog this weekend.

            There are a few choruses that continue to come back to my mind at various times when either I have a perplexing need or I am burdened for a friend who is facing a challenging situation.  There are times like this that I am reminded of my need to fall at the feet of Jesus and seek His face.
            These times also remind me of the honor that is mine to do this.  I am reminded of His glory and mercy and my need to worship Him.

            "No Higher Calling" is a powerful and inspiring song often sung by Promise Keepers that touches the hearts of many with its profound lyrics and captivating melody. This song holds a deep meaning that resonates with listeners, reminding them of their purpose and calling in life.

            The opening lines, "Down at Your feet, oh Lord, is the most high place," set the tone for the entire song. It humbly acknowledges that God is the highest authority and that surrendering to Him is the way to find our true purpose. It emphasizes the importance of putting our trust in Him and seeking His guidance in all aspects of our lives.  
          As the song progresses, it speaks of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, reminding us of His unconditional love and the redemption that is available to all who choose to follow Him. It encourages us to embrace this love and dedicate our lives to His service, proclaiming that "there is no higher calling, no greater honor than to bow and kneel before Your throne."
            While the specific inspiration or story behind the song is not readily available, the essence of the song aligns with the core teachings of Christianity. The lyrics reflect the biblical truth that God deserves our highest praise and worship. It is likely that the song was birthed out of a desire to express adoration and surrender to God in a profound and meaningful way.   
          Psalm 95:6 (NKJV): "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."  Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV): "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
            

Down at Your feet, Oh Lord, 

is the most high place; 

in Your presence, Lord, I seek Your face, 

I seek your face. 

There is no higher calling, 

no greater honor 

than to bow and kneel 

before Your throne. 

I'm amazed at Your glory, 

embraced by Your mercy, 

Oh Lord, I live to worship You. 

You can listen to it here.       BOW

Tech Support

Tech support has been needed since the very beginning. Enjoy these reminders of yesteryear, back when people had their first personal computers.

+++A woman called the Canon help desk with a problem with her printer.
The tech asked her if she was "running it under Windows."
The woman then responded, "No, my desk is next to the door.  But that is a good point.  The man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a window, and his is working fine."

+++ Tech Support: "How much free space do you have on your hard drive?"
Customer: "Well, my wife likes to get up there on that Internet, and she downloaded ten hours of free space. Is that enough?"

+++ Overheard in a computer shop:
Customer: "I'd like a mouse mat, please."
Salesperson: "Certainly sir, we've got a large variety."
Customer: "But will they be compatible with my computer?"

+++ Customer: "Can you copy the Internet for me on this diskette?"

+++ Customer: "So that'll get me connected to the Internet, right?"
Tech Support: "Yeah."
Customer: "And that's the latest version of the Internet, right?"
Tech Support: "Uhh...uh...uh...yeah."

+++ Customer: "My computer crashed!"
Tech Support: "It crashed?"
Customer: "Yeah, it won't let me play my game."
Tech Support: "Alright, hit Control-Alt-Delete to reboot."
Customer: "No, it didn't crash -- it crashed."
Tech Support: "Huh?"
Customer: "I crashed my game.  That's what I said before.  Now it doesn't work."
Turned out, the user was playing Lunar Lander and crashed his spaceship.
Tech Support: "Click on 'File,' then 'New Game.'"
Customer: [pause] "Wow!  How'd you learn how to do that?"

To Give Or Not To Give?

"Looking Back" is a feature in which I choose a previous blog which I have written, rewrite it and share it once again.  This one was first posted in 2013.   

         On Sunday, following morning worship, we made our traditional trip to Wendy's for lunch.  As we entered the store, I noticed a rather heavy, black young lady sitting by herself at one of the front tables.  I assumed that she was waiting for somebody to come and eat with her.  
          When we received our order, we passed by her on the way to our table and, while she glanced at us, we really didn't think more about it at the time.  Then I discovered that the clerk had given me the wrong drink, which was the third straight order she had messed up.  So, I went back to the counter to get the correct drink.  

         On the way back to my table the young lady quietly asked me if I could buy her something to eat.  She was so quiet that I had to ask her to repeat her question.  Now I am not in the habit of giving things to folks who are begging and so I replied as I normally do, with a no.  

         When I returned to my table, we noticed that every once in awhile she glanced back at us.  And she also didn't stop and ask anybody else who passed by.  We couldn't help but wonder why we would be the only ones that she asked.  Then the thought struck me that we were wearing our Awana uniforms that morning.  Because Awana starts this week, all the Awana leaders were asked to wear their uniforms that day. 
          Now we have often met former clubbers who have recognized us. Even just last week we had a clerk, a former clubber, who recognized our association with Awana because of our shopping bags.  So now I am wondering if she was a former clubber who recognized us or if she just recognized our uniforms.  Or, maybe the Lord just put us there to help her out. 

         The change from our meal was $3.00 so I began to feel the urge to at least give her that.  She could certainly choose a couple items off their value menu for that amount.  After some hesitation, I went to her and gave her the money and she thanked me.  
          Then we watched to see what she would do with it.  Twice she went up to order, but both times she went to the wrong end of the counter.  It looked like she didn't know what to do.  Then she finally realized that she had to get in the line and she did that.  But every time she neared the front, she let somebody behind her go ahead.  We didn't know if she couldn't figure out what she could get for $3 or if she could even read.  I realize now that I should have just gone and purchased something for her.  
          We were actually done with our meal when she finally made a purchase - a large waffle ice cream cone.  Then she left and the last we saw of her she was walking across the parking lot.

         Was she in need?  I really don't know.  However, I have recently read accounts of the many homeless, including teens, in the Lancaster area and I have never done anything for them. It is so sad. Did I do it because she might have recognized us or Awana?  I'm really not sure.  But what difference should that have made?  If we are Christians then our actions should identify us, not our clothing.   
         Should I have handled things differently or better?  Probably, but it is always easy to be a "Monday morning quarterback".  However, the scripture from Hebrews 13:1,2 (The Message) has been going through my mind.  "Be ready with a meal or a bed when it's needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it!" 

          Now, was she an angel?  I really doubt it.  But today I am glad that I at least gave her something, even if it was just an ice cream cone.

Seminar

A group of women were at a seminar on how to live in a loving relationship with their husbands. The women were asked, "How many of you love your husband?" All the women raised their hands.

Then they were asked, "When was the last time you told your husband you loved him?" Some women answered today, a few yesterday, and some couldn't remember. The women were then told to take out their cell phones and text their husband: "I love you, sweetheart."

Next the women were instructed to exchange phones with another woman and read aloud the text message they received in response to their message.

Below are hilarious 12 replies. If you have been married for quite a while, you understand that these replies are a sign of true love... Who else would reply in such a succinct and honest way?

1. Who is this?

2. Eh, mother of my children, are you sick or what?

3. Yeah, and I love you too. What's wrong?

4. What now? Did you wreck the car again?

5. I don't understand what you mean?

6. What did you do now?

8. Don't beat about the bush, just tell me how much you need?

9. Am I dreaming?

10. If you don't tell me who this message is actually for, someone will die.

11. I thought we agreed you wouldn't drink during the day.

12. Your mother is coming to stay with us, isn't she?

Kinda tugs at the heart, doesn't it?!

Growing Old

  "If you want to know how old a woman is, ask her sister-in-law."  (Eva Gabor)

 

"Old age comes at a bad time." (Ed Sullivan)

 

"Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened."  (Stevie Wonder)

 

"Old age is like a plane flying through a storm.  Once you are aboard, there is nothing you can do about it."  (Golda Meir)

 

"The older I get, the more clearly I remember things that never happened.  (Mark Twain)

 

"I'm at that age where my back goes out more than I do."  (Phyllis Diller)

 

"Nice to be here?  At my age, it's nice to be anywhere."  (George Burns)

 

"First you forget names, then you forget faces, then you forget to pull your zipper up; then, you forget to pull your zipper down."  (Rob Reiner)

 

"You spend 90 percent of your adult life hoping for a long rest and the last 10 percent trying to convince the Lord that you're actually not THAT tired."  (Princess Grace) 

 

"Old people shouldn't eat Health foods.  They need all the preservatives they can get."  (Bob Hope)

 

"At my age, flowers scare me."  (George Burns)

 

"It's like you trade the virility of the body for the agility of the spirit."  (Ed Sullivan)

 

"The years between 55 and 75 are the hardest.  You are always being asked to do things, and yet you are not decrepit enough to turn them down."  (T.S Elliot)

 

 "At age 20, we worry about what others think of us… at age 40, we don't care what they think of us… at age 60, we discover they haven't been thinking of us at all."  (Ann Landers) 

 

"When I was young, I was called a rugged individualist.  When I was in my fifties, I was considered eccentric.  Here I am doing and saying the same things I did then, and I'm labeled senile."  (Milton Berle) 

 

"The important thing to remember is that I'm probably going to forget."  (Martin Scorsese)

 

"We don't grow older, we grow riper."  (Pablo Picasso)

 

"It's paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to anyone."  (Andy Rooney)

 

"The older I get, the better I used to be."  (Lee Trevino)

 

"I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a lot more as they get older, and then it dawned on me — they're cramming for their final exam."  (George Carlin) 

 

"Everything seems to slow down with age, except the time it takes cake and ice cream to reach your hips."  (Elizabeth Taylor)

 

"When your friends begin to flatter you on how young you look, it's a sure sign you're getting old."  (Mark Twain)

 

"You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks."  (Dennis Quaid)

 

"There's one advantage to being 102, there's no peer pressure."  (Adam & Eve)

 

"There are three stages in man's Life: he believes in Santa Claus, he does not believe in Santa Claus, he is Santa Claus."  (Leon Phillips)

 

"Looking fifty is great — if you're sixty."  (Joan Rivers)

 

"Time may be a great Healer, but it's a lousy Beautician."   (Zsa Zsa Gabor)

More prayers to be answered

          And the story continues.  My wife had her surgery and all appeared to go well.  But she developed pain in her lower back which is worse than her pain from her new knee.

          Unfortunately, the medical group at the rehab didn't know what was causing the pain or how to treat it.  Their only recommendation was to go to a doctor who had worked on her back years previously.  But it would take several months to get an appointment with him and then we would need to travel about 40 miles to be seen.  That was not a realistic option when she was in so much pain.  Pain pills and a medical rub helped some.

          Then on Wednesday a committee reviewed her situation.  Their decision was because her physical therapy was going so well, they could only keep her until Monday.  The back pain would not qualify for a longer stay.  We were told this an hour after we had been told  by the doctor that they could extend her stay for the rest of the week.  Because of Medicare's rules they had to reverse what we were told.

          In addition, without asking us, they moved her meeting with her surgeon from Tuesday back to Monday.  We had already made plans for my transportation to the doctor visit. Those plans now had to be scrapped and we did not have an alternate plan.

          So, we bargained and argued with the doctor and staff.  And once again we joined several of our friends in praying for a reversal.  And yesterday it was finally granted.

          So, the current plan is to take Dianne to see her surgeon on Monday.  Then she will return to rehab and be "kicked out" on Wednesday.  Then we pray that I can take care of her at home and that somehow her pain goes away.

          Impossible?  Yes, for me, but not for God!

God Still Answers - In His time

          It has been a challenging week and God has been very busy.  He has once again taken care of many challenges for us.
          This was the week that Dianne was scheduled for knee replacement surgery.  Because of her heart problems she had many heart hoops to get through.  PTL, she was able to get through all of them and surgery went off as scheduled.
          However the operating rooms ran into computer problems and her surgery was delayed over two hours while they changed her operating room.  But the change was made and eventually the surgery went on and was successful.

          Then we were concerned about how I would make out at the hospital, getting around while using a wheelchair.  Then two of my sons stepped up and stayed with me both days.  They were a great help in so many ways.  I thank the Lord for them and His continued answers to our prayers.

          But there was another major obstacle.  It was obvious that I needed help to care for her and it seemed to be against current Medicare rules.  We seemed io be out of ideas.  They were getting ready to release her to my care at home.  Then suddenly they found a great location with an opening and Medicare's approval.  And within a few hours she was transported to the Lancaster Rehabilitation Center where she can be cared for up to 10 or 15 days if needed.  That was a genuine answer to prayer.

         Now she is having some nasty reactions to the drugs she is being given for pain.  That is probably expected but God knows all about it.  One by one He is answering our prayers.  I still have some transportation problems buy I know that in His time He will deal with those.  In fact while writing this, my need for the next two days has been resolved. God is so good – all the time!

          Thank you for your prayers – they still work.It has been a challenging week and God has been very busy.  He has once again taken care of many challenges for us.

          

Discouragement

               This past week I read a devotional by David Jeremiah that met a particular need that I have been dealing with.  Since I assume that many of my readers may have the same battle, I thought I'd share it with you.

          "It's natural to become discouraged, but it's unhealthy to stay that way.  Satan loves to utilize the giant discouragement to cast down our faith and progress.  John Bunyan called it Giant Despair in his classic The Pilgrim's Progress and it imprisoned Christian until he found the Key of Promise in his clothing.

          If Giant Despair has you in his dungeon today, remember you have the key to escape.  It's inside your Bible, found in one of the hundreds of promises God has given you.  For example, you can claim Joshua 1:9 which says, "Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

          Discouragement is the temptation to evaluate your momentary circumstances apart from the overarching plan of God for your life.  God is a God of encouragement.  As soon as you become discouraged, cry out to Him in prayer and ask for His help.  God wants to hear your prayers, even when discouraged.  He will answer and bring encouragement to your heart."

          I don't know if you need that reminder, but I do  My wife is facing knee replacement surgery on July 31 and unless Medicare or the Lord provide help, I will need to care for her.  Physically I'm not sure that I can do that.  Then two days ago I fell in a parking lot while onloading our walkers from our van.  Thankfully I did not break anything, but I am bruised and aching and am having difficulty walking.  But I know that the Lord knows this and He will provide the strength and help that we need.  I will appreciate your prayers.
           

I close this blog with one of my favorite hymns.

(1)   Is there a heart o'erbound by sorrow?

Is there a life weighed down by care?

Come to the cross, each burden bearing—

All your anxiety, leave it there.

All your anxiety, all your care,

Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there;

Never a burden He cannot bear,

Never a friend like Jesus!

 

(2)   No other friend so keen to help you,

No other friend so quick to hear;

No other place to leave your burden,

No other one to hear your prayer. 

All your anxiety, all your care,

Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there;

Never a burden He cannot bear,

Never a friend like Jesus!

 

(3)    Come then at once, delay no longer!

Heed His entreaty kind and sweet;

You need not fear a disappointment,

You shall find peace at the mercy seat.

All your anxiety, all your care,

Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there;

Never a burden He cannot bear,

Never a friend like Jesus!

 

             

Keep Cool!

FUN RIDDLES TO HELP YOU BEAT THE HEAT!

Answers are at the bottom. Don't peek!

 

1. The maker doesn't want it; the buyer doesn't use it; and the user doesn't see it. What is it?

 

2. A child is born in Boston, Massachusetts to parents who were both born in Boston, Massachusetts. The child is not a United States citizen. How is this possible?

 

3. Before Mount Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain on Earth?

 

4. Clara Clatter was born on December 27th, yet her birthday is always in the summer. How is this possible?

 

5. Captain Frank and some of the boys were exchanging old war stories. Art Bragg offered one about how his grandfather led a battalion against a German division during World War I. Through brilliant maneuvers he defeated them and captured valuable territory. After the battle he was presented with a sword bearing the inscription: "To Captain Bragg for Bravery, Daring, and Leadership. World War One. From the Men of Battalion 8." Captain Frank looked at Art and said, "You really don't expect anyone to believe that yarn, do you?" What's wrong with the story?

 

6. What is one thing that all wise men, regardless of their religion or politics, agree is between heaven and earth?

 

7. In what year did Christmas and New Year's fall in the same year?

 

8. A woman from New York married ten different men from that city, yet she did not break any laws. None of these men died and she never divorced. How was this possible?

 

9. Why are 1990 American dollar bills worth more than 1989 American dollar bills?

 

10. How many times can you subtract the number 5 from 25?

 

11. A taxi driver was called to take a group of passengers to the train station. The station is normally an hour away, but with traffic being extra heavy, it took a full hour and a half. On the return trip the traffic was still as heavy and yet it took only 90 minutes. Why?

 

12. How could you rearrange the letters in the words "new door" to make one word? Note: There is only one correct answer.

 

13. Even if they are starving, natives living in the Arctic will never eat a penguin's egg. Why not?

 

14. Which is correct to say, "The yolk of the egg are white" or "The yolk of the egg is white"?

 

15. In Okmulgee, Oklahoma, you cannot take a picture of a man with a wooden leg. Why not?

 

16. There were an electrician and a plumber waiting in line for admission to the "International Home Show". One of them was the father of the other's son. How could this be possible?

 

17. After the new Canon Law that took effect on November 27, 1983, would a Roman Catholic man be allowed to marry his widow's sister?

 

============================================

 

============================================

 

**  The Answers  **

 

1. A coffin

2. The child was born before 1776

3. Mount Everest, it just hadn't been discovered!

4. Clara lives in the southern hemisphere.

5. World War I wasn't called "World War I" until World War II.

6. The word "and"

7. They fall in the same year every year, New Year's Day just arrives very early in the year and Christmas arrives very late in the same year.

8. The lady was a Justice of the Peace.

9. One thousand nine hundred and ninety dollar bills are worth one dollar more than one thousand nine hundred and eighty-nine dollar bills.

10. Only once, then you are subtracting it from 20.

11. An hour and a half IS 90 minutes.

12. "one word"

13. Penguins live in the Antarctic.

14. Neither, the yolk of the egg is yellow.

15. You have to take a picture of a man with a camera, not with a wooden leg.

16. They were husband and wife.

17. He can't because he's dead.

 

STAY COOL!

Encouraging Reactions

          What do you do to encourage somebody who is going to have surgery?

          The best thing might be to pray for them, or even better yet, with them.  It is encouraging to know that you have a team taking you before the Lord, the true Great Physician.  What a blessing to have friends who pray.

          Don't forget to actually pray.  It is easy to make promises and then forget them.

          Depending how close you live to them, there are many little things that take little time but are really helpful – bringing their daily newspaper to the front door, getting their mail, watering their flowers, bringing their trash cans back to the house, or just making a short personal visit.

          Depending on the condition of the patient, they might appreciate a meal, some help with light house cleaning, some small help with minor repairs, some grocery shopping or other things that are part of normal life.
          There are so many simple things that would be meaningful to a person facing surgery.

          Now what shouldn't you do?  Don't tell them stories of those who suffered through serious pain or failed operations.  The patient doesn't need to hear all of these sad stories, even if they happened to you.  But believe me, these horror stories are the ones most share and they are not the least bit encouraging.  Don't people think about what they are sharing?

          And after surgery there are many things that the patient may need.  Don't forget them in their time of rehabilitation and slow return to normal life.

          Now Dianne is preparing for knee replacement surgery on July 31.  We are concerned because with my recent physical challenges, I will not be able to care for her.  Going to a rehab might not be possible due to Medicare rules.  So, we will see how the Lord provides.  And, we know He will.  And we know He may use some of our friends, like you, to pray and maybe help.

          But please don't share any stories of folks who were worse after their surgeries.  She has already heard too many of those.