On the morning of April 15, 2024, I got a call. My eighty-five-year-old Mother had taken a fall. That fall resulted in a broken hip and many bruises, which caused her anguish and much pain. The following day, she had surgery to repair her broken bones. Plates, rods, and screws were installed to hold everything in place. A long road to recovery began that day.
Five days later, she was discharged from the hospital, only to be readmitted with complications. The trauma of it all was affecting her mind. Mother became distraught, and she did not recognize me. Dementia was already easing its way into her mind before the fall, and now it was rearing its ugly head.
The hospital was a foreign country to her. The medical team caring for her were strangers. Nothing was familiar, and she longed for home. The surgeon suggested rehab for 21 days in a rehab facility. I could not bring myself to allow that. I knew Mother would feel abandoned and afraid. The anxiety would make the dementia worse. I made the decision to bring her home with Home Health rehab.
When we finally got her home and settled, it was utterly amazing how quickly she began to improve physically and mentally. Within 24 hours, she knew where she was and could recognize her family. Life came back into her eyes, and her entire countenance changed. There were no strange noises, strange voices, or strange faces. Her anxiety and fear quickly vanished. She was finally home, her safe place.
Four weeks later, my brother had triple bypass surgery in Birmingham. His widow maker was 100% blocked, and two other arteries were 95% and 98% blocked. The hand of the Lord was upon him and kept him alive. He had surgery on Wednesday and was discharged from the hospital on Sunday. He tried to convince the surgeon to let him go home on Saturday because he was homesick. He had a longing to be in his home, in his bed, eating his food, and hanging out with his son and his dog. There is just something about home. It is the place where we can find healing and comfort. It is a familiar place where peace speaks to our soul.
When this tidal wave knocked my feet out from under me, I prayed, “I need the strength to care for these I love. Lord, please give me physical and mental stamina.” I had to rely on God’s power instead of my own power. He strengthened me daily. This wave came without a warning, and I lost my footing for a minute. When the water drained away and I could see the ocean’s floor, I exhaled and thanked God. He carried me.
“Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Ephesians 6:10
After I got my Mother and brother home and settled, I, too, had a longing to go home. I had lived in hospitals and hotels for weeks. I missed my husband, my dogs, and my backyard swing under the pine trees. I missed everything about the place. I returned home on a Sunday evening, the Sabbath, the day of rest. I took heed to the Lord’s call to come sit with Him and rest.
“The Lord gives strength to His people.” Psalm 29:11
It had been a whirlwind for the last several weeks. As I sat in the swing and listened to the birds sing their songs, I spoke these words. I believe Dorothy said it best in The Wizard of Oz, “There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home.” I was at peace.
My spiritual being is longing for another HOME. Sometimes, I can catch a glimpse of that heavenly home. My Mother describes it best.
“I see a large, golden gate and angels are on each side of it. They swing the doors on the gate open and bid me to come. When I enter the gate of Heaven I see Jesus standing with his arms opened wide and I run to Him. After a long embrace, He steps aside and bids me to keep going. Then I see my people, my husband, my parents, my siblings, my family. I run to them. We are laughing and singing and dancing around like little children.”
“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.” Hebrews 4:9
My spiritual being longs to be in the presence of God. He will wipe away all my tears. There will be no more pain, death, and suffering. He will make all things new. I will spend eternity praising the Lord. All of heaven will be filled with praise, glory, and honor to our King. I will be in a land of rest, full of joy, peace, and love.
Sometimes, I feel like an alien in this world. Everything is changing, and sometimes, I don’t recognize the world in which I grew up. However, there is one that never changes, and that is Jesus Christ. He is the same today, tomorrow, and forever more.
“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
“I can see the bright light shine,
It’s just about Home time
I can see my Father standing at the door
This world has been a wilderness,
I’m ready for deliverance
Lord, I’ve never been this homesick before.”
Songwriter: Dottie Rambo
Dana Hill
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#danahillblogs
