EARLY Day 1

7:00 p.m. Today's project was to try the new plan for keeping Steve comfortable and at ease upon awakening, which he has been doing much earlier this week. I changed the morning caregivng hours from 6:30-8:30 to 5:00-8:30, so as to help Steve take care of his needs appropriately.

The plan, which had some sticky points, had to be prayed over and carefully implemented. I had to trust what God said in Psalm 32:8:

I will instruct you and teach you
  in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.

We couldn't take a chance of the dog barking from the garage, or Steve being awakened super early for no good reason. With the caregivers, I discussed a silent arrival, and then their quietly being "stationed" where they could hear his slightest stirring, and then escort him to the bathrooom. Then just like I did yesterday morning at 5:30, Steve would then be helped back into bed until 6:30 or even 7:00 on weekends.

It worked fine! Steve had a good morning and a fun day out to lunch and at the dog park with his caregiver while I hosted customers as usual for "Muffins & Makeovers" in the dining room.

Just like that young bald eagle on watch high above Yellowstone  National Park, a caregiver of a mentally helpless, but physically active loved one must be vigilant, always ready to seek a new approach, technique, or resource for ever-changing needs. Not only are there health issues to stay on top of, but with the stumbling, shaking and staggering a late-stage dementia victim does, there is danger whenever they take a step, a set, get in or out of the car, and even when they lift a cup, plate or bowl. (Doesn't matter if the worry is breaking something or  spilling and making a giant mess, they have to be monitored constantly)! Vigilance and physical intervention such as parents exercise with young children is the order of the day for a dementia caregiver.

God calls all believers to vigilance, and the active component diligence, in many areas of life. A few examples:

You shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, His testimonies, and His statutes which He has commanded you (Deuteronomy 6:17).

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23).

Be sober, be vigilant; for your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8).

Give diligence to make your calling and election sure, for if you do these things, you will never stumble (I Peter 1:10).

Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things [new heaven and a new earth, v.13], be diligent to be found in Him in peace, without spot and blameless (II Peter 3:14).

Vigilance, diligence--as well as perseverance in trial-- are all character traits I have learned to practice afresh and with more urgency in the last year than in all of my prior 31 years of walking with the Lord, studying His word and serving Him. But never have I felt the Lord's moment-by-moment guidance so strongly either...

Jesus be praised! To Him be the glory forever and ever, amen.