Early morning wakeup call--from God

7:41 a.m. Today's project was to get my shower and such finished in time to open the door to a caregiver who would help Steve with his early morning routine. By 6:20 a.m., Steve had already been downstairs to take his meds and eat his banana, and was in the shower. Today was especially critical to have running smoothly, because the Special Trans bus picks him up at 8 a.m. for his weekly visit to Care Connexxus adult daycare.

Right on time, the caregiver arrived. He very diligently helped Steve dress in the clothes I had laid out, and Steve came downstairs to read his daily online devotional from Horizon Christian Fellowship, which we've subscribed to for several years. As I talked with the caregiver, I pointed out to him what Steve was doing, and he volunteered, "when I was going through some things, my tia gave me a Bible, but it was hard to read." I showed him the New King James version, and pointed him to the Proverbs, saying, "31 chapters for 31 days!" (just like Steve was reading at the moment). He started reading Proverbs 9 for today!

Looks like a Divine Appointment to me!!

I told him that if a person reads a Psalm, a Proverb, an Old Testament selection and a New Testament selection, you could read the whole Bible in a year. He was amazed! I told him that Bibles have reading plans, and showed him the one in our Chuck Smith version that was on the kitchen counter. Our discussion was very broad, with him wanting to know the difference between psalms and proverbs; where to start reading, and, since he lives in Moreno Valley, how to get to our church and its location. I especially encouraged him to attend the Young Adult Bible study on Thursday night. He really wanted to be sure he could understand what was being taught. I explained that Pastor Sammy reads some verses, and then completely explains what is written. The caregiver looked relieved as well as eager to give it a try. I told him there is worship, and people are very friendly at our church, and the young adults pray for one another. And since he'll be assisting Steve again tomorrow, we can reinforce his going to the study, with directions and more details.

I would covet prayer for this young man, believers!

At times I wonder if I should be doing the complete care for Steve by myself, and also whether it's good that we have a number of different caregivers coming over. The Lord revealed that He would use Steve's condition for His glory, and our lives as a witness for Him. In the words of Oswald Chambers, it's Jesus "helping Himself to His saints' lives." It's an honor, a responsibility. So God ensures that various amounts of time are provided for me to share the Lord with caregivers. Some bring a Bible to read when Steve dozes off; others have been to church but are not born again--yet!

"The harvest truly is great," Jesus said in Luke 10:2, "But the laborers are few; therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." Little did I know that our home in this time of affliction would be a field ripe to harvst, as caregivers come in to meet Steve's safety and health needs!! May we be equipped, ready and willing to witness and share God's word with these young people!

Romans 10:13 says,

For whosover calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.

But we have the responsibility to preach the gospel, the good news that we can call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation! Romans 10:14-15 continues:

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written,

"How beautiful are the feet of
   those who preach the gospel of
   peace,
  Who bring glad tidings of good things!'

We struggle to find God's purpose in severely debilitating mental illness and devastating neurological disorders, though we learn to trust God in our trials. But if God is so gracious as to use Steve's Alzheimer's for the saving of souls, we will be humbled, challenged, and honored to do our part!