Prayer that sustains

April 28
Today is my birthday. I had forgotten until David, my son called yesterday as I was heading off for the hospital and asked what my plans were for the evening. Marilyn remembered too and independently of each other, plans had been made for a celebration so now I have 2 parties to attend. One at the hospital and the other with my kids. Life is good!

I haven't written anything for a couple of days - partly because I have been so tired, and busy and partly because not a lot has changed. Busy because Lyn, my step mom passed through Calgary on her way back from Florida to her home in Creston BC, and tired because sleep doesn't come easy these days. I seem to be dead tired by 8 or 9, drive home with the music blaring in the van to keep me awake, flop into bed, sleep until 2:30 am and then wake up. Rather than tossing and turning I have taken to praying and writing when I wake. It seems that my mind is the clearest at this unearthly hour, at least for awhile - then sleepiness sets in an I seem to be able to drift off again for a few hours. It is good that I have taken time off from school for now, I can't imagine what bizarre things I might come up with for my students to learn keeping these hours. The last couple of days I have listened to the robins, a sound I often would curse at 4 in the morning when I was trying to get some sleep before heading off to school, but today I am enjoying them, I wonder when they sleep. At this time of year you can set your clock by them. Daily, just before the sun rises and sets their haunting song drifts through the air. Soon after the robin’s first song, the air fills with the chatter of birds from all over in a beautiful chorus. It has been a great backdrop for my prayer time.

Last night, when I dropped Lyn off at the bus depot, her parting words were, "Bryon, the thing that will sustain you is prayer." When the future is so uncertain that not even the doctors can predict what to expect - I am finding this to be true. Knowing there are people from all corners of the world who are lifting up Marilyn and myself to the Lord keeps me from going down the road of hopelessness. I don't know if Marilyn will ever again hear the sound of the robins in spring or see the buds pop out in fresh bloom. Only God knows. What I do know is that His plan is perfect and, no matter what the outcome, I can rest in His Love.

When Lyn and I arrived at Marilyn's room yesterday, it was to the sound of her physiotherapists praising her for standing up. "What a dumb thing to get all excited about." was Marilyn's comment, but I knew she was happy with herself for overcoming the first fear of standing again. There will be many more fears and trials to overcome as the days progress if she is ever to see past the door of her hospital room, but at least the first step has been taken. I thank God for this. Now, as the morning traffic has obliterated the robin’s song, I am tired again. It is time for me to sleep and rest in Gods care.