Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Holy Week Update: Life Intrudes

Last Wednesday, I tentatively and quietly returned to church. Part of me wanted to stay home another day, but I couldn't bear to miss my favorite Lenten activity: Holden Evening Prayer. I was scheduled to lead it that evening, and I was looking forward to it desperately. I found however, as I sang, that I could not reach the high notes, did not have the necessary breath support. Once or twice I actually opened my mouth and nothing came out.
After services, my husband called to ask if I would come over to the hospital. His father had fallen again, while they were at the grocery store. While he was not injured, everyone thought it might be a good idea for him to spend a few days in a nursing home, trying to strengthen his legs, which seemed quite weak.

Late Saturday night, we got another phone call. My husband's dad was being taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital, as he had suddenly become quite ill.

It turns out that he has pneumonia: a lot of pneumonia, one doctor said.

He has been in Intensive Care since Saturday night.

One of my husband's sisters flew in on Sunday afternoon. She has been visiting and helping his mom, which is great. It does seem that his dad is slowly gaining more strength, although he is still in Intensive Care.

In the meantime, I am thinking about Good Friday, and preaching about Jesus' crucifixion. The story overwhelms, with its terror and suffering, with blood and death. Where to focus to find our savior's love, to find a piece of hope to lift up to the light and share?

In the meantime, life overwhelms too. Sometimes I open my mouth and no sound comes out, but O Sacred Head, Now Wounded With Grief and Shame Weighed Down, and there is the little piece of hope to lift up to the light and share.

16 comments:

Mary Beth said...

You and your family are in my prayers!!

Elaine (aka...Purple) said...

Oh Diane...many prayers for you and family.

Lauralew said...

Hugs and prayers, Diane.

Anonymous said...

O Diane, this sounds like it will be a Holy Week you'll remember for many years. I pray you can feel God walking with you and see God walking with you in the form of family and friends.

Peace,
NotFainthearted

Terri said...

Diane - prayers for you...and your family...

Jan said...

Oh, Diane, prayers for you and your family and much love for you.

Unknown said...

Such a lot going on, Diane. I'll pray, too.

Fran said...

so many prayers for you diane, so many prayers for one and all in your family.

Barbara B. said...

You've had quite a time of it -- prayers for you and your family...

RevDrKate said...

Oh dear...you are all in my prayers.

zorra said...

Praying for you and your family.

Diane Vogel Ferri said...

i feel for the ministers during holy week and Christmas - it must be overwhelming sometimes even through the joy.

June Butler said...

Diane, oh my! Life intrudes and overwhelms, indeed! Prayers for your father-in-law's healing and for yours, too, love.

May the Spirit of the living God enlighten and inspire as you prepare your Good Friday sermon. Light and hope. Yes.

Billie Greenwood said...

I'm really sorry. This is difficult on so many levels. I'll be praying for you, Diane!

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

Oh my, saying a prayer for you and yours.

Rev SS said...

I'm sorry I'm so late getting here ... prayers for you and your family from me too