Surviving Life’s Dark Clouds

Have you ever felt like a dark cloud keeps hovering over your head and everything that could go wrong…does? Storms pop up along life’s path and we become engulfed in a flood of unwelcomed circumstances that take us on unexpected detours. Detours that take us away from our daily routines and responsibilities.

We all face times when it seems God might have forgotten to shield us with his protective arms, and yet, we know in our hearts that He is right there with us every minute of every day. He never forgets who we are or what we’re going through. It’s times like this that we should hold fast to our faith, knowing He is in control, regardless of the situation.

On a personal note, this year has been rather challenging for me. Who would have thought so many mishaps and trials would snowball in my life in such a short time? Here’s a glimpse of the chaos I’ve endured in the past few months.

• (April 16), My 85-year old dad fell, broke his right wrist, and tore his rotator cuff.
• (April 20) Four days after my dad’s fall, mom, 86-years old, fell in the nursing home and had to go to the hospital. Because of her condition, she had to have someone with her at all times. Alzheimer’s is unforgiving.
• During mom’s 11-day hospital stay, we learned the original nursing home didn’t want her back at their facility, so my sisters and I frantically searched for one with an opening that could meet her needs.
• (April 23) During my mom’s hospital stay, my husband’s blood pressure skyrocketed. He was admitted to the same hospital as my mom only on a different floor.
• (April 25) Rick and Deborah, friends of ours, came to visit my husband. Deborah fell in the hallway outside Ken’s hospital room and ripped her rotator cuff in several places. Her fall required surgery and a long, painful healing process.
• (May 2⁾ A nursing home finally came through and accepted mom.
• (May & June) Dad began physical therapy, which required someone driving him back and forth to the rehabilitation center. He opted not to have shoulder surgery due to his age. Therefore, more physical therapy was necessary to help him utilize what movement he could salvage in his arm. 8-weeks of physical therapy, three times a week.
• (July 8⁾ Finally, a much-needed reprieve! I went out of town with a friend.
• (July 11) She and I breathed too much dust on a Can-Am ride in the mountains of Utah, and both of us ended up in the emergency room. I had developed pneumonia with a 103.5 fever.
• (July 13-July 21) Made it home after a flight delay & rested inside for 8-days.
• (July 28) We were summoned to the nursing home. It was time to put mom on hospice.
• (Aug 2) Mom went to be with Jesus.
• (Aug 5) We buried our beautiful mother.

Yes, the above really happened! Crazy, huh?

That dark cloud just wouldn’t dissipate. But I must say that during those stressful, exhausting, and heartbreaking months, my faith in God remained strong. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I cried a few times, and I questioned God’s reasoning for my dilemmas. But, without God in my life, I wouldn’t have survived these trials at all because my strength comes from Him.

Was I being tested like Job in the Bible? Was there a lesson God wanted me to learn? Or was the enemy trying to weaken my faith in God, while he tried tearing me down?

I don’t know the real answer to these questions, but what I do know is that I am a child of God, and I know He will never fail me. I have power over the enemy in Jesus’ name, therefore, I will press in and pray harder.

Does anyone else have a story to tell? Has a dark cloud been stalking you? Has this year been filled with trials and disappointments for anyone besides me?

Praying and believing better days are ahead for us all.

Loretta