The last few years I have made many decisions that I was not sure what the right thing to do was. As I have taken on the responsibilities of caring for an Elderly Aunt, making decisions about where she should live and how to provide for her with limited income. Mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s this last year as well, she isn’t to the point of severe memory loss, but enough that she no longer was able to pay her bills,care for her home, make life decisions about daily maintenance of home and person. In all these decisions my siblings and I have had to decide when to move her, where to move her and how to provide for her on a limited income as well.
When it came time to move Mom, she was argumentative and we found ourselves wavering on what to do. We knew we had to move her,but she and her sister and sisters family had suggestions otherwise. It is impossible to fulfill others wishes their way when they don’t want to actually help you, but just tell you how you should do things.
I often found myself in prayer seeking wisdom from God on how to honor her, provide for her and do the right thing for her.
Scripture can often feel vague and unhelpful. I would have to find time to wait and listen, asking, seeking and needing the Holy Spirit to reveal the wisdom in scripture that would help make that days decisions.
One of the best lessons learned for me is confirmation that “His ways are not our ways, nor His thoughts our thoughts” Is. 55.
I found myself one morning seeking confirmation that moving mom was best for her, even if she hated the idea. My prayer time led me to read about Abigail and Nabal in 1 Samuel 25. Abigail was married to Nabal and Nabal was know as a harsh and evil man, actually his name means fool. David had come to Nabal asking for his help and for provision for his men and animals, Nabal denied David help. David was enraged and had arranged for his men to attack and destroy Nebal and his family. Abigail heard about Nebal’s foolishness and she arranged delivery of supplies to David’s troops. Abigail, did all this without Nebal’s permission, and David in gratitude thanked her and told her she had saved the household of Nebal.
Now you most likely are as confused as I was about how this pertained to us moving Mom. I sat listening and wondering what the Lord was trying to say. In the waiting this is what I heard, ” Sometimes you have to go around fools to do the right thing.”
We were doing the right thing, Mom’s memory loss had stolen her ability to make wise choices, her sister and her children were not understanding this and not helping us at all.
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom
The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 12:15
Mom was unable to think wisely and it was our responsibility to seek the Lord for wisdom and instruction on what and how to provide for her. We must proceed on in this decision.
As of today it is more and more clear that this was the best option for her, she is still unhappy a lot of the time, but her home is sold, her finances are now sufficient for her to live well, and she is being looked after.
Often I run across other scripture that confirms again and again that The Lord does not do things the way man does, and to do the right thing we often displease the world and those that love it.
His ways are not our ways,
Tanya
