What does February 2018 have in common with August 2021? I would not be surprised, nor would I blame you, if you chose to answer, “I don’t know and I don’t care!” However, I hope you will stay with me while I share how God used a teaching of Jesus to illustrate a wonderful truth about His provision and presence in our lives, even when we least expect it.
February 2018
During this time, Linda’s behavior fluctuated between extremes as she suffered almost constant delusions. She was fearful of being raped, accused me of stealing her money, and demanded that I get out of the house. At other times, she believed that I was going to die, and became very upset when I refused to go to the hospital. Despite his best efforts, her psychiatrist could not get her medicines adjusted.
When it seemed things could not get worse, the post holding a front crown cracked; and a visit to the dentist became necessary. While waiting to see Dr. Beard, Linda wiggled her feet, talked to the person on television, made faces, and told me she was leaving. Once he started work, she handled it quite well; and the broken post was replaced with newer technology, which left a slight shadow on the crown. I assured him the blemish was inconsequential.
August 2021
Last month after 3 ½ years, the crown came loose again; however, it was put back into place with little discomfort to Linda. My family and I then fervently prayed it would stay in place; this proved not to be case. Last Tuesday, it came loose again and an appointment was made for Friday. Having just had surgery on my two big toes which would not stop bleeding, for the better part of two days I performed a comical routine, hobbling around my house and constantly working to keep the floors wiped clean. Well, it would have been funny to anyone but me; I was far too preoccupied with my misery to see the humor in anything! Countless times I have watched God prove His timing is perfect; nevertheless, I experienced a mini faith crisis and questioned why I could not get a break. This set the stage for me to remind God that Linda did not need to suffer through a possible tooth extraction and replacement with a dental bridge. She had been getting along so well, and sedating her could promote all sorts of problems. For good measure, in case He did not know it, I recounted the estimated cost of such a procedure and explained what that would do to an already strained budget. In essence, with many words, I bombarded Heaven!
Then God showed His temporarily sidetracked servant, as He has so many times over the years, that He is Sovereign and never works according to my limitations. Before the procedure began, Linda was fitted with a small flexible mask and breathed Nitrous Oxide for a few minutes. After carefully considering the X-rays, Dr. Beard determined the depth of the post could be increased. Then, his longtime assistant Denise remembered that 3 ½ years ago, as a safeguard, a new crown had been ordered and was still waiting to be used. Holding Linda’s hand and watching with amazement as this skillful dental team worked, I was overwhelmed and humbled by how many wonderful people God has sent to help Linda and me during our long journey through the perils of Alzheimer’s.
Connecting the Dots
Now, as promised, I will share how God used a teaching of Jesus to illustrate a wonderful truth about His provision and presence in our lives, even when we least expect it:
“…when you pray, go away by yourself, all alone, and shut the door behind you and pray to your Father secretly, and your Father, who knows your secrets, will reward you.
Don’t recite the same prayer over and over as the heathen do, who think prayers are answered only by repeating them again and again. Remember, your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him (Matthew 5:6-8 TLB)!”
I did quite well with shutting the door behind me and praying to my Father secretly; repeating my needs, in let me count the ways, was something else. However, the real insight gained went beyond those issues: I believed that God knew what I needed before I asked Him, but I tended to always relegate that reality to the immediate moment. In this case, God powerfully demonstrated that 3 ½ years before I knew that I had a need, He knew exactly what I would need and was prepared to provide it at the perfect time. His provision far exceeds the limitations of my awareness of need!
Ron Harvard Ministries 