Now that I'm getting older Mom's for some reason decided I need to learn a couple of new tricks. ?? She says it's to keep me sharp and focused. I say she simply wants to frustrate and confuse me. (We've yet to reach a common ground on this debate)
At 8 years old I'm not as quick either mentally or physically as I was as a young pup, but I'm willing to try and make my Mom happy. Yes I get confused at times, and we have to go over my tricks for several days before I truly get them down pat, but isn't this the case in all our lives?
Moreover, Mom's no longer a spring chicken, and on that note she's having to learn a few new tricks as well. (BOL) I love when life has my Mom wearing the shoe on the other foot, what about you guys?
Sometimes God sets our parents on a new path...
"Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.
During one of our chats Mom and I talked about this scripture but she didn't really think it applied to her. She thought it was simply a quote that applied to someone else. I grinned my little Doxie grin and decided to let the old Mom see for herself. (I being the wise little Dachshund that I am Knew this totally applied to my Mom).
Since our chat and the Mom voicing her opinion that this bible quote applied to someone else several new things have happened in our families lives. The main thing is one personally for Mom.
Joining a new church with new people simply stirred up all her old anxieties. For those of you not familiar with some of the symptoms of an anxiety disorder you won't understand how crowds, new places, new people or unexpected situations can make you feel as if a metal band is tightening around your chest, or your neck feels so indescribably tight you think it might snap into. Possibly you're so stressed you don't realize you've just been short with someone or that you're coming across impatient.
For many, many years Mom's suffered from anxiety to the point that it's affected several areas in her life. Mom found comfort in her routines, avoiding crowds, and enjoying a quiet life here in the country.
For the past few years her Dr. had suggested Mom go on medication to control her anxieties. Thinking this wasn't a "Godly or Christian " solution she kept trying to control her stress and emotions with supplements , diet and exercise, all the while praying that God would help her with her fears.
We here at our house are not unfamiliar with Gods amazing mercies and grace. In Mom's particular life I believe we've shared about her being housebound for a few years due to her diabetes, and God helping her to get her A1C down to 5.7 and her subsequently regaining her life. This was all well and good as Mom understands hard work and dedication.
We pups accept things a lot easier than our humans do. We understand that for the most part our people want what's best for us, and we completely trust them to take care of our needs. We don't expect them to do it "Our way".
Here's the part that Mom's had a few problems with throughout her lifetime, and I think other people might as well.
People expect God to follow the plans they have for Him answering their prayers.
During one of our chats "I said. Mom maybe you've been expecting God to help you with your anxiety the way YOU wanted Him to. Maybe He answered your prayer all those years ago when your Dr. suggested you go on Anxiety Medication".
Are any of you guilty of this same thing? Do you pray and pray for God to help you with a problem and then not see His response because you're expecting Him to answer you the way you want Him to? Gods ways are not our ways. I understand this more fully now than I did before. He's not always going to send us a burning bush or a lightning bolt. Sometimes He simply has our Dr. suggest we take a medication for our problem.
This is the thing dear friends, God's plans for you are never late, they are always right on time and they are exactly what you need.
So with that thought in her mind Mom emailed her Dr. and asked that she fill her Rx. for the Anxiety meds.
Let me say this again Gods plans for you are never late, they're always right on time and He's faithful to continue the good work He began in you. Because He chose YOU to be His bride. Remember this means He's your bridegroom. He loves you with an undying love, and His every desire is for your good. He will be with you every step of the way through every obstacle that is in your life.
I want you to know that Dad and I could tell a difference in Mom the very first day she took her first dose of medicine, and she's gotten better every day since. Mom even shared she could feel the difference. She tried to explain how she felt after starting her med.s and the best way she could put it was, "Her mind was now quiet and she's felt more at peace."
We need to share with you all the importance of letting go of the idea of your prayers being answered in the way you may expect them to be answered, and realizing sometimes your answer is something as simple as the Dr. suggesting a prescription (or something every bit as simple).
God is never finished with completing the good work He's begun in his children, regardless to how old they may be. Mom's 60 years old and still learning this one.
Foley, Pocket and River Song
We are very happy that your mom's faith lead her to make the decisions to give her a happier life.
Dear Molly and Mum,
thank you for this wonderful insight. Yes, in our house we often pray about something and then don't like the answer we receive! God's ways are not our ways and all will be well in God's time.