Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: IMPOSSIBLE (09/05/19)
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TITLE: You Can Do This! | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marlene Custer
09/10/19 -
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With clenched fists I continued my lament. “This conversation I just had, Lord. It was like trying to reason with a two-year-old. I reminded Judy that I would be at the Independent-living home where she resides on Thursday morning to pick her up for a Doctor’s appointment. (Did I say ‘independent’? Ha! That is a stretch!) Specialists say she does not have Alzheimer’s or Dementia. She does have depression. What a wretched affliction!”
“I want you to clothe yourself with compassion, kindness...”
“It is sooo hard, Lord!”
“I will be here at 11:00 to pick you up,” I told her.
With a worried look and furrowed brow, she responds, “I don’t have anything to wear.”
“I can think of at least five nice tops.”
“You can?” Judy challenged.
“Yes. We got two new ones at the beginning of summer. You have a pretty top that has embroidery work on the front, and...”
“They are all dirty,” she countered.
“Your appointment is almost two days away. Tonight after supper you can do a load of wash.” I sat back with a smug look.
“I don’t have enough dirty laundry for a full load,” she argued. “The machines here are so big and use so much water.”
“Judy, it doesn’t matter how much water you use,” I say with a hint of exasperation in my voice. “Set the machine to the smallest load setting.”
“Well,” she continued to complain, “The dryers get so hot, and the labels on some of my things say ‘low heat.”
“She says her mind is foggy, Lord, and that she finds it hard to concentrate; but she sure knows what all those labels say. As well as the fine print disclaimers on her meds. I thought it was from You when another thought flashed through my mind.”
“You know, Judy, it is getting a little cooler. You have several nice blouses with longer sleeves hanging in your closet.”
“I can’t wear those. My undershirt shows.” Now she has the smug look.
“So, You see, Lord?” I whined. “I feel worn out. Seeing Judy through this depression episode is becoming too much for me!”
“Trust me, my child. My grace is sufficient.”
Thursday I was early to pick Judy up for her appointment. Another frazzled-looking woman was coming across the parking lot. We met at the door, and she lamented, “My mother has lost her phone again. Last week she lost her purse. The week before it was her glasses. I don’t know how I’m going to cope with this care-giver role.”
Placing my hand on her arm I comforted, “You can do it! God has promised to give us the strength we need for each day. We can do all things with His strength.”
She hesitated a moment before signing in at the visitor’s desk. Then she smiled as she laid the pen down. “Thank you for that encouragement.”
“Now I see your plan at work, Lord. As you strengthen me, I can reach out to others. Thank you for allowing me to be the ‘giver’ at this time.”
Looking across the lobby I see Judy coming towards me with a sweet smile and wearing a fresh clean outfit.
NIV Colossians 3:12, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Philippians 4:13
Based on a true story.
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