"You Didn't Need that Too!"

Last summer, about the same time Dennis' care level increased, I seriously injured my shoulder.  It was so bad I had to ask Brooklyn to help me undress.  Whenever someone found out about my injury, I would hear, "You didn't need that too!"  Frankly, I agreed with this sentiment.

But God had a plan.  I believed and trusted that even in this circumstance that made no sense, God still had a plan.  At times it certainly seemed out of control and one more difficulty I did not need at this time.

We went forward.  I started physical therapy, learned to do lots of things with one arm and gradually started to get better.  Time passed and we saw God provide for our needs even though I was not being paid while we waited for my disability claim to be approved.  Eventually I received a denial letter for the claim.

Dennis' health continued to decline and I almost didn't appeal the disability denial because I was so busy meeting his needs, but I followed the advice of my physical therapist and filed an appeal.  Last week I learned the appeal had been sucessful and I received a check for over three months of back pay.  We were thrilled for this extra income we had not anticipated.

What we did not realize was how God was using all of this to prepare us for a need we did not know was coming.  On Tuesday, a routine furnace check revealed our old furnace needed to be replaced.  My shoulder injury and delayed disability payment was God's way of ensuring we would have the money in hand for this expense.

So even though many people said, "You didn't need that too!", and I wholeheartedly agreed, God clearly had a plan and a purpose in all of this and I did need this too!

Philippians 4:19  (NIV)  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  He just doesn't always do it the way we planned but we can rest in the assurance that His plan will always be superior to ours!

Dennis Update

Dennis is about the same as he has been for the last several months.  He is unable to get out of bed or do anything for himself other than feed himself and even that is with great difficulty.  His speech has not returned but he understands what we say and enjoys having people stop by or call him.  

Please continue to keep us in your prayers.  Your prayers are the source of our strength.  

Merry Christmas from Dennis, Ellen and Brooklyn!