March 31, 2022

God Moments

“We make our own plans, but the Lord decides where we will go.” – Proverbs 16:9 CEB

“You’re entering hospice. You know what that means, right?”
“In-hospital hospice is only an option if we have to support you medically, so you’ll need to leave soon, OK?”
“Do you want to go to a facility or home? At home you control your visitation policy.”
“Oh, by ‘leave soon’ we mean tomorrow would be great if you can… or the next day. Take your time, no rush.”

Now, these are not direct quotes. In fact, they only reflect how we were feeling, not what was said or how it was intended. Still, that’s where we were. Dad was going into hospice and we had to make arrangements – now.

Clearly God was in the timing: my company had just closed down for the week as an employee appreciation holiday. Jennifer Landin had just told us of a great home-care service. Priscilla van Horne had just reminded me that Greg Solecki had run the Henry Ford Hospice program. Pretty amazing timing. Or Serendipity. Or Providence.

It was the best of timing, it was the worst of timing (sorry, Mr. Dickens), but – as I’m coming to realize more and more – it was God’s time, and God’s timing.
As I’ve told many people, this was not something anyone wants to go through; but the support we got from family, church, hospice, and home care meant I couldn’t imagine its being a better experience for us, and mostly that went for Dad too. Right to the end he was still himself, trying to make those he loved feel better, be happy, know they were loved, but trying to come to grips with timing that was out of his hands.

We really don’t like not being in control, but the fact is that we aren’t. I need to work on accepting that things will happen in God’s timing, and that will always be better than my timing would have been. I need to work on that. I really do.

Father, keep us aware that You are the one directing our steps and days. We thank You for watching over us, for planning for our good, and for receiving us always in the name of Jesus. Amen

Charlie van Becelaere