But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 KJV)
If I had more time I would have photographed Beloved Husband’s eagle collection. Well, at least a part of it. There are small toy eagles and large cast porcelain, with several varieties in between. He’s admired them and added to his collection over the years until we have a display cabinet filled and running over.
As he is in NICU surrounded by tubing, machines, constant beeps and hums, we wanted to put something up to make it more ‘at home’ for him. Putting up a few scriptures was one of the decisions, and this is his favorite verse. I found the graphic on Wikipedia Commons, and thought it was very appropriate!
His strength is limited, and only time will tell how much will be returned over the next few days, or weeks. But – and this is a huge deal for us – his spirit is great! His sense of humor is evident when he cracks a joke with friends and family filling the room. Thank God that the neurological ICU allows family members to be with patients. His breathing crisis was serious enough to require an air flite from our local hospital to the metroplex. Fortunately, his neurologist is one of the best in the state.
Now, some people would focus on the gravity of the disease, wondering why God would afflict anyone with such a dreadful death sentence. Frankly, human life is terminal. We all will face it, and it will never be easy when it is someone we love. It’s hard, too, when it’s ourselves.
Friday he fought to tell me he knew he was dying. He wanted me to know he wasn’t afraid to die, but suffocating terrified him, and he panicked. That is more than understandable. Yet, he was able to tell me that he was not afraid of dying, not afraid of facing the Lord, of joining Him in heaven. By the grace of God and the hard work of many professionals, he remains with us! There is more to come. More verses, too.
You see, he has other favorite, very important verses that will also go up on the NICU wall:
Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. … Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work. (Psalms 62:1-12 KJV)
My Beloved Husband has faced his mortality. He is ready to be judged according to his work.
So should we all.
