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

Sharing the Lord's Comfort - Janet Seever

  

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

“I’m so glad your husband is coming to the retreat,” wrote Doris in her email. “It means that I won’t be the only one there with mobility issues.” Her words surprised me at first, but then I understood.

My husband suffered a major stroke in 2004, and along with the loss of speech, came the loss of the ability to read and write. He now walks slowly with a cane. A life-changing event for both of us, the stroke suddenly threw me into the role of caregiver and turned our world upside down.

At the conference, Doris and I greeted each other warmly. I knew her from one face-to-face conversation, but mostly from short emails, since she lives in another province. In her early 50s, she now uses a walker because of a mysterious, undiagnosed illness that is gradually stealing her motor skills. Her life has undergone a dramatic change in the past few years.

“People just don’t understand,” she confided, as she freely shared with me at coffee break some of the challenges she and her family are facing. She instinctively knew I would understand, and I did. There was an automatic bond between us. And I was able to tell her how the Lord has been faithful throughout the years in spite of numerous difficulties our family has been through.

Later, I reflected on the retreat with Laura, a friend of mine. "When I look back, I think the most valuable thing I have to offer others has come through the difficulties the Lord has brought me through—especially my husband’s stroke and the bipolar mood disorder in our family,” I told her. “Those very things that were so painful at the time are what the Lord has used to enable me to relate to and comfort other people.”

Laura was intrigued.

I went on to explain how when my husband first had his stroke, a friend told me, “What a tragedy.” I thought about it for a while, and said to myself, “I’d rather see it as a challenge.” A tragedy looks back at what used to be, but challenge looks forward to the future, giving a person a reason to hold on to hope.

And challenges we certainly have had . . . but the Lord has never abandoned us. He has given me joy for the journey, and His peace and presence. And for that, I thank Him. He has also enabled me to be a comfort to others going through struggles.

As a writer, I’ve been able to share with others that hope I have in the Lord and how the Lord met me in the challenges I’ve faced. Some of my stories, floating around on Internet, have encircled the globe and I’ve had emails from people in various countries who have been encouraged because I’ve been willing to share.

As fellow writers, we all have the opportunity to be encouragers. May each of us use the ability the Lord has given us to reach out to others in need. And may the Lord be glorified as we use the skills He has given us.


A long-time InScribe member, Janet writes for 'Prayer Alive' and 'Word Alive', two Wycliffe Canada publications. Married to Dennis for 37 years, she is the mother of two adult children, one of whom is married. She enjoys being a grandma to five-year-old Andrew.  www.inscribe.org/janetseever  www.caringbridge.org/canada/janetseever