Last week was difficult. As Americans we celebrated our independence, but, as a fragile human, I was deeply reminded of my utter dependence on Christ and of His absolute control of the details of my life. That’s a good thing.
On Monday, my mom was transported to ER and admitted to the hospital. This has been an annual or biannual event for the past few years. However, this time they discovered other problems and on Thursday she was put on hospice care. Shocking. Lots to absorb and process. But God’s orchestration and His gentle blessing has become so evident. He really does direct our paths and each step along the way.
When life is humming along at the usual speed and the journey is smooth, I sometimes forget He is near…very near. I actually think I’m in control, and actually try to be. Somewhere inside of my fallen humanity I think that because I’m not paying attention to Him, He’s not paying attention to me. How ostrich-like. How ridiculous. How sad that I would think so little of Him.
That surprising Thursday, I found my way to the Healing Garden and sat and turned my thoughts toward my loving Lord. As I pondered Him and listened to Him, He spoke into my heart and I penciled this in a little pocket journal:

July 5, 2018
Good Samaritan Hospital, Corvallis
Healing Garden
Live life with Me.
Let me live My life in you.
Free My Spirit by trusting Me.
Yield to My Sovereignty.
Stay connected.
Stay close.
Show up and spend private time with Me.
Walk with Me as with a comfortable friend.
You long for this deep in your bones
Because I long for it more deeply than you can fathom.