I just have to share the beautiful thing that happened to me and H this morning.

We went to the hospital to visit a friend. This man had surgery a week ago Monday because he had a 3 cm aneuryism behind his left eye.

Things did not go entirely well with the surgery and my friend is now paralyzed on his right side. He has to learn how to talk all over again, although he is sure trying to communicate and VERY frustrated at his inability. He can see, hear, he recognizes people, he understands everything that is going on.

Our friend once confided in me that he visits this board. I don't know his user name and presume he is one of the "lurker" types <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> I wouldn't betray his confidence if I did know but I do ask your prayers for him. I wonder how his W feels at this time. (She severed contact this summer. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> )

Anyway, our friend is a beautiful man of God. It must be so scary, even though he has faith.

My H prayed for him and there was a cleaning lady in the room. At the end of H's prayer, the girl said, Amen and began to sing.

Our friend, who can only mumble, could SING!! He could enunciate "Sweet Holy Spirit" and he could sing a little louder than he can "talk" right now AND he was in tune! H and I told his Dad who was waiting in the waiting room--he almost cried!

Friend raised his hand in worship as the singing continued. (Of course, I was bawling and unable to sing more than a couple words at a time!)

Isn't God good? I leaned over to Friend and said, Look--God is right here in the room, looking after you. He is sending Christians to help take care of you.

Isn't that awesome? Here is this lonely man who longs for his marriage to heal and he is facing the journey with lots of family, friends and church support but without the one he loves in that special way and The Father sweeps in and makes a hospital room into a sanctuary.

Kind of like how He made that stable a sanctuary so long ago when He sent Jesus to us.

Merry Christmas, friends and may the miracles begin!!

<small>[ December 03, 2002, 02:50 PM: Message edited by: freshstart ]</small>

Thanks for sharing that FS, I will pray for this man, I know God can give him complete healing, He is already doing so much! God Bless and have a wonderful Christmas!
Love in Christ, SW

WOW....what a story. I will pray for him also that his marriage is healed and his sickness.

Love in christ
cajunky

Stillwaiting and Cajunky, thanks. I thought maybe no one had noticed this thread and "real life" has been busy so I didn't think to update it.

Since that day about 3 weeks ago, Friend is now in a rehabiliation hospital and his speech grows stronger daily, although it can still be difficult to interpret from time to time. We think there are a few words that actually mean something else--like "cigar"--he doesn't smoke and used the term in reference to visiting with someone.

Friend got to go to his church last weekend and is learning to walk again--still no feeling on his right side but he seems to have some control over bending his knee and can push his right foot along with his left one.

He is discouraged as he realizes all the implications now that his life is completely different but he is truly one of my heroes as I listen to him tell us, "God is so nice to us all" and that yes, God could choose to heal him but He has a standard for each one of us that we must accept.

Friend has a lot of people praying for him and I really covet your prayers. His progress is due to the love and prayers flooding him. I'm certain of that.

I don't think his W has been around at all (never met her so I wouldn't recognize her but we've been there different times with different visitors present) but the Lord is opening doors of ministry with his kids and step-kids.

Thanks so much for resurrecting this thread.

Merry Christmas!

<small>[ December 20, 2002, 09:47 AM: Message edited by: freshstart ]</small>

Wow...your prayers are helping already!

I bought Friend a card last night. I chose it carefully--or so I thought. When I wrote the message in it that I've been wanting to write for about a week or so, I re-read the Scripture verse in it--"He shall hear my voice." Psalm 55:17, King James Version

WOW! What verse could be more appropriate for someone who is frustrated at not being "heard" and understood--the words are so clear in his head and yet not always coming out as plain as we need them.

God is so personal, powerful and real--He blows me away when He does stuff like this. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

He is most certainly AWESOME!
Blessings,SW

This morning, I went up to see him and we had a delightful visit. Usually H and I (or the one visit I made alone before today) end our visit with a prayer for Friend. Today Friend prayed a blessing on me and kissed my index fingertip (not romantically--kind of almost like a little kid) It was so sweet and I feel like a million bucks.
<img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Thanks again for your prayers.

I just started popping into OT recently...

Let your friend know that one more of us MB'ers is on the prayer team.

Several years ago my H now ex fell 4 stories and had a traumatic brain injury - any assult or insult to the brain (aneuryism, stroke, tbi) pretty much leads to the same type of rehab. so I know how difficult it must be for him now.

I'm sorry that his wife isn't stepping up to her responsibility and taking care of him. Even though Scott was deep in an affair (engaged) when the accident happened I was at his side - didn't leave the hospital until they MADE me - then showered, slept, and returned quickly.

I am still his caregiver - and always will be.

Praying your friend has a complete recovery.

E

Justthewife, thanks for your story. How are things now?

H and I are hoping to see our friend tonight. They've finally told him to expect at least 2 months in the hospital. He is a man of incredible courage and although his wife is nowhere to be seen, one nurse commented on how many visitors he gets. It seems friends and other family compensate for this void. And Friend is so loving to his visitors, too.

I told him he is like a living definition of the Proverb, "He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."

Thanks, JWW.

<small>[ December 23, 2002, 07:56 AM: Message edited by: freshstart ]</small>

We are over 2.5 years out from the accident, and he lives in a disabled and elderly facility. I kept him at home till about a year ago, it was too hard and he was prone to violent outbursts so I just couldn't do it anymore - we have 2 little ones.

We are divorced, and I am moving on with my life - but will always take care of him.

Send my love to your friend.

E