Not Forgotten - Janet Seever

 

Thank you, Janet, for joining InScribe Writers Online as our Guest Blogger today. 


Writing is both my work and my passion. As a writer and editor for Wycliffe Bible Translators, I use my writing skills daily. In my spare time, I write stories from my life as an encouragement to others, often through Internet. The following story took place 2 ½ years ago. . . .

August 2010 was a time when I had far more questions than answers. I was 64, but still had no definite retirement plans for the future.

My husband, Dennis, was severely handicapped from a major stroke in November 2004 that robbed him of his ability to read, write, speak, and use his right hand. He walked slowly with a cane. After rehab, I tried to care for him at home for nearly three years while I was working at the Wycliffe office. I juggled my time in various ways, sending him to day programs some days to give him structured activity in a safe environment. Other days I worked part of the day from my computer at home.

However, he got into extremely dangerous situations that were a threat to himself and others—like driving the car on three occasions, attempting to take a large sum of money out of our line of credit, doing “repairs” using power tools, and attempting to climb a ladder. Caring for him at home just wasn’t working, so by 2009 he was living in a personal care home.

Now I was wondering. . . just what happens next? How will I have money to afford to live if I retire since the personal care home is expensive? My pensions were much smaller than my husband’s and his only covered the cost of the care home. Could I care for him at home again if I were to retire?

These things weighed heavily on my mind when I decided to visit friends, Barry and Linda, who had built a small retreat centre for missionaries and others to get away to pray, meditate, and seek the Lord. Located on 100 acres of wooded land toward the mountains, their retreat centre was a two-hour drive from my home in Calgary.

So for two days in August 2010, I spent time there, seeking answers to my many questions. I read Prayer—Does It Make a Difference? by Philip Yancey, Living Light (a devotional book), my Bible, and other publications, praying that the Lord would make the path ahead clear.

In the devotional book, I came across the verse Isaiah 49:15b, 16a: “ . . . I will not forget you. Behold, I have graven you on the palms of my hands.” I thought about it along with some other meaningful verses, and copied them into my notebook. Then while reading Philip Yancey’s book later that morning, I encountered the same verse. It’s not a frequently quoted verse, so I don’t normally encounter it on a regular basis, certainly not twice in one day.

Later my friend gave me a booklet to read, and the same verse--Isaiah 49:15b, 16a-- was on the cover! When I turned to an article inside, the entire article was based on that verse. In all during those two days, I encountered that verse six times! The Lord was telling me He has not forgotten me and the situation I am in. And I was comforted by the thought, because sometimes the journey I am on feels so lonely.

So did I find answers to my questions? No. But the Lord let me know He hasn’t forgotten me. And for now, that is more than enough.


A long-time InScribe member, Janet writes for 'Prayer Alive' and 'Word Alive', two Wycliffe Canada publications. She now has more answers to her questions and continues to be comforted by the fact the Lord hasn’t forgotten her. www.inscribe.org/janetseever www.caringbridge.org/canada/janetseever