Bill MacDonald
Laurel’s eyes are open more and more. She can communicate with a deliberate blink, but not repeatedly; she hasn’t the strength for that yet. When I took her hand in mine yesterday and spoke to her, she gripped my fingers noticeably, but it drained her strength and she couldn’t do it again. She raised her eyebrows a lot while I talked with her.
She can clearly hear, and she has a million questions–i could see those in her eyes and face. I answered the important ones: the boys are doing well. Her Dad is fine. The Lord is providing for us. Our families are fine. The church, our relatives, the town, the school, her online group friends, my colleagues, and everyone else we know are lovingly taking care of us and praying for her and us. God loves us and will not let us go.
I read a Psalm to her and prayed with her. I lost track of how many times I told her that I’m so happy to see her looking at me again! ❤️ I told her that I miss her. I miss her laugh, her wit, her wisdom, and her spirit. I discovered the conflicting emotions of joy that she’s improving, but sadness of leaving when she’s awake.
We will benefit from your prayerful support for a long time. At the same time, I am aware that many of you also have prayer needs. The boys and I are praying that God will bless you.
Though we miss Momma, we trust God. He has her, and he has us. We are weak, but he is not. He is faithful and true.
To God be the glory!159Mary Macdonald-Murray, Julia Eiten and 157 others
Bill MacDonald
Laurel is scheduled to have a tracheostomy tomorrow morning around 10:30 or so. If successful, this will allow her to breathe more efficiently and eventually, allow her to begin eating again while she continues with her recovery. It is a delicate procedure. Please pray that it will take place and that it will go as it should. Please pray for me, as I have to be at work and need to keep my mind off waiting to hear from the doctor performing the procedure. Thank you.
Bill MacDonald
Linda M Shockley and her husband Keith Shockley are friends that live in North Carolina. Linda grew up in the same church as I did, and she and Keith used to belong to a Bible study group with Laurel and me, among others. This morning, I saw that she was praying for me to know more of God’s peace in the midst of Laurel’s illness, and I commented in return that I need that; I’ve been very impatient (there’s a pun to be had there somewhere) and restless this week.
Then I saw a post from a college friend who was marking the second anniversary of the loss of her mom. Having lost my Mum when I was in high school, I paused to read Carrie Baker‘s very moving, tender, and sweet post. In it, she referenced a hymn that IMMEDIATELY spoke peace to me in two ways.
First, when I was a little boy and was getting annoying (hard to imagine, huh?) or fussy, Dad would tell me to “Be still”. That was the end of it. If not, things go more serious, and sitting down would be less pleasant for a little while. Believe me, I caught on pretty quickly to what “Be still” meant when Dad spoke!
Second, although Dad’s “Be still!” was a warning that firmer discipline was on its way if I didn’t settle down, it did actually teach me that “Be still and know that I am God,” means that if I settle down in my thinking and in my heart, I’ll realize that God IS sovereign. He IS in control. And this week, I’ve been impatient in my thinking, in my heart, and I’ve been trying to take the reins from God, forgetting that I’m NOT in control, but trying to be in control, anyway.
The following hymn is Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side — Unde et Memores. Long introduction, but I’m not known (typically) for short posts.
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev’ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heav’nly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know his love, his heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From his own fullness all he takes away.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hast’ning on
When we shall be for ever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
Comments
- Cal Edie Cummings That is always been one of my favorite hymns and favorite song from Psalm 46. Praying you can be still are you wait on the Lord’s timing and healing for an Laurel. Love you guys
- Laurel Dorman Trundy I understand your impatience. It is hard to be apart from Laurel. I am praying. This song is a big comfort to me.
- Carrie Johnson Bill, thank you for this story. My Dad also said, “Be still.” I too, wondered later in life if he also was encouraging us to “Be still and know that I am God.” Warmed my heart to read your thoughts.
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