The Long Way Home
Sharon W. Betters
TODAY’S TREASURE
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18
Dear Friends,
Patsy Kuipers, author of Be Still – Quiet Moments with God in My Garden, joins us again as a guest writer for our What She Said series. I struggle to find words to describe Patsy’s writing. She tenderly takes us into some of the most private parts of her life journey and shares precious treasures from the darkness, secrets found in hidden places (Isaiah 45:2-3). As I reviewed these devotionals, I found it hard to see the page at times because her descriptive words moved me to tears. Patsy’s husband Ray died suddenly at the age of 39, leaving Patsy with two little girls to raise by herself. Her parents moved so they could help Patsy with the girls. In this series, Patsy takes us with her on the journey of walking her mother right up to heaven’s threshold. The devotionals read like a novel – each page takes us to a tender place where Patsy experienced God’s grace and love as the Lord drew her mother closer to heaven. Patsy closes the week’s devotionals with these words:
“It took several months after my husband’s fatal heart attack before I was ready to hear the specifics of his final hours. But, when I was, one of his closest colleagues shared those details with me.
After describing Ray’s busy afternoon helping customers with plants and garden supplies at The Home Depot, Barbara recounted how she was one of those waiting in line to perform CPR prior to the EMTs’ arrival. Though she didn’t get a turn to do so, she was unwilling to leave her friend’s side and asked if she could ride to the hospital in the ambulance with Ray. When the paramedics denied that request, Barbara followed close behind in her own vehicle as the ambulance’s siren wailed, clearing a path through traffic.
I think of Ray and that ambulance ride almost every time I hear a siren. And when I do, I say a brief prayer that the Lord will be with the emergency personnel and those who will receive their aid.
On the morning of April 20, 2021, 24 years and a day after Ray’s sudden death, I stood on my parents’ driveway awaiting the arrival of the fire department EMTs, always the first on the scene. Having already let my adult children know Mom had fallen and most likely broken her hip, I texted, “Paramedics are on their way. I hear the sirens.”
The fire truck pulled up by the curb, its siren silenced upon entering the neighborhood. Struggling to contain my tears, I led the three solemn men into the house. Two knelt beside Mom, comforting her and assessing her condition, while the third asked Dad and me a series of questions regarding her medical history and the circumstances surrounding her fall.
Soon a second siren signaled the approach of the ambulance. The crew conferred with those already tending to Mom and took over her care once apprised of the situation. I expect the image of them carrying her out of the house, cradled in her pink sheet, pain, and resignation lining her face, will stay with me for the rest of my life.
I felt helpless as the paramedics loaded Mom, closed the doors, and drove away. Yet even in my despair, I knew I wasn’t alone, and neither was Mom. (Patsy Kuipers, What She Said, Part 9)
Friends, this is a good time to invite others to join us on our Daily Treasure journey. Take a few minutes each day to sit with Patsy as she shares her journey in a way that will encourage you to know you are not alone either.
Treasured by Him,
Sharon
More free resources for help, hope, & healing:
In His Grip is the preaching and teaching ministry of Dr. Chuck F. Betters from almost fifty years in church ministry. This month’s featured series is: Prayer: The Missing Detonator with Dr. Chuck Betters
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
For more from Daily Treasure please visit MARKINC.ORG.
Originally published Sunday, 12 November 2023.
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