I have often thought that God allows me the privilege of experiencing hardships in life so that I can use those experiences to comfort and encourage others in similar circumstances. Like 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says:
“He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.” — The Message
For those of you who are caregivers, I now understand.
It seems like every minute there is something to be done when your loved one cannot care for themselves from the tiniest thing like adjusting a pillow to dressing, eating and personal care. I am the one who changes the dressings on my daughter’s injuries, helps with physical therapy and comforts her as she works through the emotions of all that she has been through since being hit by a minivan. (You can read more about the accident here.)
I am absolutely not complaining.
I have felt God with us every minute and I actually physically feel all of the prayers that are going up for us. It is a strange and inexplicable sensation but it feels like your prayers are holding God’s arms around us as we walk this journey.
Thankfully we were able to come home from the hospital on Thursday afternoon after an intense five day stay which included surgery, recovery from surgery, adjusting pain medication and lots of physical therapy to make sure we could do everything we need to do at home.
Being home is both a blessing and a challenge. A challenge because I became the around-the-clock nursing care dispensing medication and making sure that my daughter is comfortable. A blessing because our family is together in familiar surroundings. Thursday night my three oldest teens and I had an impromptu slumber party into the wee hours of the morning. It was so good for us to be able to spend time together processing everything, laughing and crying together.
For my daughter’s privacy I won’t post any photos of her but I wanted to show you a little bit of our new reality:
(the first photo I have ever posted of a toilet)
We are very grateful to our friend who was able to let us borrow a motorized recliner so my daughter can sleep comfortably and move without much effort.
She basically cannot bear any weight at all on her left side for the next 6 to 8 weeks so we are depending on her right leg and right arm to help her push up out of her recliner, then while I am holding her she has to scoot her good foot over to the new seat (toilet or wheelchair) without putting weight on her injured foot and sit down. Moving in this way is painful and tiring for her but we are so thankful that she can because it means that we can be at home rather than at the hospital.
My sweet 13 year old has been completely displaced as we have taken over her bedroom for my 17 year old. Her bedroom has double doors that open to the living room so we are able to move the wheelchair in and out of the space. Even though the changes are difficult for her she is being very accommodating and is eager to help in any way that she can.
We have weeks of physical and emotional healing, physical therapy and adjustments ahead of us but we are so grateful for my daughter’s life, God’s Presence with us, family and friends who love us. I am especially grateful to all of you who have left comments on the website and Facebook or emailed me with your sweet thoughts and prayers for us. Your encouragement has truly carried us as we move through these days. I don’t have much time to respond but please know that I am reading every one.
I would never have wished these circumstances for my daughter but God as always is working all things together for good and we know that we can live peaceful and joyful lives as we trust in Him.
your words are an encouraging reminder of God’s love
Thanks Becca!
Kimberley I will pray for your daughter and your family, and I know that God will work this out for your good. Be encouraged and know that He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Thanks so much!
Thank you Debi!
My thoughts and prayers are you with you, your daughter and the rest of your family. Will be praying for strength for you all. Love your positive posts. Take as much time as you need!!!!
Thanks Kristine!
Continued prayers for you and your family. Thank God she is still alive. Yes, it will be a long journey, but one that all of you will become closer than ever. Speedy recovery for your daughter and let her know that we are all rallying behind her for continued strength.
Prayers for your daughter, you, and your family as you are strengthened by the LORD.
I am so sorry Cher! I pray complete healing for your husband.
And yes, I am trying to make sure that I take care of myself. Great advice! 🙂
No, He doesn’t waste anything. 🙂
Great advice Kim! Thanks!
May The Lord’s peace & joy fill your home throughout these circumstances. May her heart & soul grow closer to Him & may her body recover & be even better than before!
Thank you for your prayers Sonia!
I am in New Zealand and I enjoy your posts even if I don’t always implement them!
So sorry for the distress and pain your family is going through, especially your daughter.
It’s so true our heavenly Father is close to us when stressed as Isaiah 57:15 says ‘He resides with those crushed and lowly in spirit…to revive the heart of those being crushed’ At times like these it’s helpful to meditate on the times to come when suffering and sickness will be gone forever. Rev 21:3,4
I hope your day goes well Kimberly as you cope as a family being there for each other.
Kind Regards
Great encouragement! Thank you!
Great encouragement! Thank you!
I am so sorry to hear about your daughter’s accident. Thank GOD for your neighbors and those who where there to console her until you arrived. I’m happy to hear her injuries are not life threatening and that she will recover.
It’s seems as though it will be a long road to recovery; just know (and I know I don’t have to tell you) that GOD will be by your side every step of the way. I will add your family to my daily prayers. GOD BLESS YOU!
Thank you – and yes, His presence is very evident. 🙂
Thank you – and yes, His presence is very evident. 🙂
Praying for your daughter and family.
Praying for you and your family. We are finding our way through recovery with lots of preplanned meals in the crockpot and Netflix to keep my hubby entertained.
YES! Thankfully some Food Network shows are now on Netflix as those are my daughter’s favorite. 🙂
YES! Thankfully some Food Network shows are now on Netflix as those are my daughter’s favorite. 🙂
So sorry to hear about your daughter. I pray that this experience would draw you closer together as a family, and to God.
I am glad to hear everything, though difficult, is going well. Hoping for a speedy recovery. Best to you and yours.
Praying for a speedy recovery!
I am so glad your daughter is ok. I feel some of what you are going through, as my husband has muscular dystrophy and is in a wheelchair, unable to move his arms or legs. Caring for him, even though I love him, can be quite a chore. I love your reminder to keep a joyful heart and focus on what we do have instead of how hard things are. I am so glad you have the strength of your faith and family to help you through it. It makes all the difference!
I am so sorry that you are dealing with that Heather but so glad that you can care for him. It is difficult to have a good attitude in the midst of trials but gratitude helps alot. Blessings to you!
Praying with you that healing and recovery will proceed smoothly. You and your family give faithful testimony to the presence and power of God, and all of us thank you for it. May you and your family receive the wisdom and energy you need. Thank you for sharing your testimony and your faith.
Thank so much for your encouragement Katherine!
Please know that I’m praying for your daughter and your family to move along this trying journey with strength and resilience. I understand the feelings that accompany these types of life events, and they’re not easily dismissed. Take good care and update us when you can.
Please know that I’m praying for your daughter and your family to move along this trying journey with strength and resilience. I understand the feelings that accompany these types of life events, and they’re not easily dismissed. Take good care and update us when you can.
You will be in our family’s thoughts and prayers! Please take whatever time you need for yourself and your family, if this is God’s plan, your blog and website will be here when you are ready. God bless!
I will keep you and your family in my prayers. So glad to hear that your daughter is home and I hope for a comfortable and speedy recovery for her.
Wow Jennifer! I am sad that you had to go through such hardship but so glad that God was with you and changed you through it. Thank you for your encouragement.
Such a good idea Sharon! Thank you!
Wow Jami! I’m so glad your son is okay now. Thank you so much for your prayers! I truly appreciate our friendship.
I’m so sorry for what your daughter and your family are going through. My son was struck by a car while riding his moped a few weeks ago, so I can relate to your experience. I am so very grateful to God that his injuries were not quite as serious, and he is now fully recovered. Your daughter will be in my prayers, and I trust that she will experience complete healing, too. Hugs to you!
I am so glad that your son is okay! Thank you for your prayers Diane.
Praying for you, your daughter and the family for healing and strength while you go through this terrible experience. Sending big hugs your way!
Thank God she is OK. I wish her a full, speedy and successful recovery!
Oh my goodness, Kimberly!! I’m SO very sorry your family is going through this, but so encouraged by your faith and how God is meeting you in these challenging circumstances. Our son broke his neck in a bike accident in middle school ( fixed with a titanium plate and no lasting physical things, praise God) so. I know a bit of what you’re feeling. Count me among the prayers lifting you up!
Keeping your family in our prayers. This is just a season. Thank you for sharing.
You don’t need to respond to this. I just want to let you know that I will pray for your daughter and you and your family. And thank you for sharing your life in such a personal way. May God continue to pour out His peace, prescence and blessings on your family.
Remember the healing power of laughter. When I was in the hospital with a leg broken in two places, I had a funny book to read and it took my mind off the pain, the cast, and the uncertainty of when I would be returning to life as I was before.
Such a good idea Sharon! Thank you!
Glad to hear she is home from the hospital. Hope she continues to feel better each day. Hang in there!
Pray for your daughter and your family
Oh my goodness. I’m glad to hear she is home. It sounds like it will be quite a journey. Still thinking of you all. Hugs
Glad she’s home! Appreciate your focus on God! He doesn’t waste hard times, but allows them to grow us, doesn’t he?
So glad you all are home and on the road to recovery. As a parent I can’t imagine what all you are going through. Prayers for all of you!
I am praying for her healing. I spent the last two years in various medical offices, procedures, and setbacks. I understand not being able to do the smallest things. It was so hard. I’m finally able to do almost everything “normal” people can do. I did grow in Christ and God blessed my heart beyond belief as I learned to focus my identity in Him not my body, not my abilities to even care for my family. Prayers for you to be blessed and your daughter to be healed.
Wow Jennifer! I am sad that you had to go through such hardship but so glad that God was with you and changed you through it. Thank you for your encouragement.
Thank you for keeping us posted about your daughter. Please make sure you take a few minutes for yourself each day. I became care taker for my husband the first of January when the ladder he was on slipped out from under him. After he was healed enough to go back to work, he got liver poisoning, which he is still battling. I get up quite early in the morning so I can spend that time communing with God. We are keeping your daughter as well as your whole family in our prayers.
Thoughts and Prayers with all of your family.
Thank you for the update. You are so fortunate to have your faith and family. God Bless.
So glad she is able to be home…will continue to pray for your daughter’s speedy recovery and will also pray for you and your family for strength and energy as you care for her.
It sounds like your family has a long haul ahead. Prayers for a smooth recovery.