A Note of Encouragement

from Ciloa

God is our refuge and strength

an ever-present help in time of trouble. Psalm 46:1

In Desperate Times

Volume XVI, Issue 29

July 18, 2016

In Desperate Times...by Mollie Awtrey

My dad is Jack Awtrey. For 20 years he made the deliveries for my mom's flower shop. But in 2003 I noticed something was wrong. He had difficulty remembering where regular customers lived. Sometimes he would get lost, and maps only made him more confused.

The problem grew worse. Dad, forgetting the simplest of things, became frustrated and angry. Then he started just giving money away and even adding strangers to his bank account.

Eventually we got the terrible news...Alzheimer's. From that day, life was a constant physical and emotional struggle. Our days were filled with growing confusion and fear. Where was God?

Mom died suddenly just 2 years later, leaving me as sole caregiver. As Dad's condition declined, he often refused to take his medication. Frequently he fell and hurt himself. And at times he wandered from his house that was deteriorating right along with him.

Desperate, ignored residents in a nursing home

Living alone became a huge health risk for Dad and I could no longer care for him. The time had come. He needed to live where he could be better cared for, where he would be safe.

For months I searched. I tried one, then another, but the care did not match their promises. Residents were ignored, some abused. Dad got a black eye on one occasion and a broken tooth on another. There was little care, but many excuses.

Dad struggled. He would go from not knowing where he was to thinking he had always lived there. He felt alone and afraid, lashing out at me for leaving him in such places. So the search continued.

Overwhelmed, I prayed in desperation, "Lord, You know our situation and our needs. Guide me, Jesus, on where to put Dad. Please keep him safe where he is. God help me, I can't do this any longer."

One day, out of the blue, I decided to visit a facility about 20 miles from my home. I was amazed. The staff cared for the residents and loved their work. Everything was clean and orderly. It was perfect!

Then I met one of the owners. Turns out we had graduated from the same high school. We hit it off immediately. Dad was soon approved and moved into his new room. But would he be happy?

One day while Dad was in physical therapy, a resident stopped by. Seeing "Awtrey" on Dad's wheelchair, she said they must be related because that was her name, too, and it was such a unique spelling. Dad introduced himself and they got to talking about their families and life growing up.

When Dad mentioned he went by "Alvin" as a boy, the lady's face lit up. She was Mary, Dad's cousin. As little children, they had played together at his parents' house where Mary spent much of her time growing up. They had not seen each other in decades.

Mary is a Christian with a loving, kind spirit. Today she will find Dad, kiss him on the head, and give him hugs. Dad will go to her room and visit for hours. And as much as she's meant to Dad, he has meant to her. "I have family here," she says. "I feel at home."

This has strengthened my relationship with God. I know that no matter what happens, He does work all things out for our own good. His hand is upon us. God had this planned out long, long ago.

Without a doubt, Dad and Mary are God's gift to each other......and to me.

Mollie

Mollie Awtrey lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia, USA. This is her story, as shared with Chuck Graham.

The picture of the staffer hugging the elderly lady is from the website of Westbury Medical Care and Rehab, Jackson, GA www.westburymedicalcareandrehab.com

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