13. Soul driven body

Three weeks were over. Mum regained her strength and looked serene; she only had words of appreciation. “I feel so supported by all of you; dad, Ana, Joseph, you, your families… Thank you all for being so kind to me. And all these time your husband and the girls never complained that you were not with them. That’s what Christianity is all about, seen in action.”

With her visitors mum shared her thoughts and confidence in God’s presence in her life now. She was naming her blessings, and it was fascinating to notice how this was giving her special vigour. The words from the book of Proverbs were manifested in her life:

15:13

“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.”

17:12

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

18:14

“A man’s spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?” (NIV)

Parting from mum and dad had a dose of sadness and qualm. Being there with them and dealing with things as they were happening gave me confidence that everything was under control. For the first time in my life it looked as we switched the roles. I took a parental role over my parents. It was a strange feeling I had to deal with.

My best intentions, words and efforts were ultimately limited. My hands were reaching out to do good for my parents but I knew there were more powerful and more loving hands of our Creator. To those hands I committed lives of frail mum and burdened dad for unpredictable times ahead of us. We united once again in prayer and I departed.

14. Beyond many miles

Distance can make people feel unsettled, out of control, giving them a dull feeling of helplessness. It was prayer that bound my parents and my family 2050 miles (3 300 km) apart. People can be physically close and yet distanced. Prayer brought us, who were miles apart, close to each other and God. Daily prayers to God to sustain mum in her illness and help dad to support her gave me peace. Praying together over the phone gave us much joy and courage.

The psalmist is an inspiration of walking close with God; so close that God called David His own friend. Reading his psalms reveal the source of that closeness, the prayer. Over and over again with David I cried out to God in prayer:

Psalm 4:1

“Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.”

Psalm 5:2-3

“2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.

3 In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice, in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectations.”

Psalm 17:6-8

“6 I call on you, O God, for you will answer me, give ear to me and hear my prayer…

8 Keep me as the apple of your eye, hide me in the shadow of your wings.”

Psalm 86:7

“In the day of my trouble, I will call to you, for you will answer me.”

Psalm 145:18-19

“18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call him in truth.

19 He fulfils the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.” (NIV)

Through his Holy Word God is constantly inviting the weak and needy man to call upon Him because he loves us unconditionally. His words written in Jeremiah 29:11-13 encouraged me and I claimed His promise during mum’s crisis points:

“11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

12 When you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”