“The Lord upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.”
Psalm 145:14 (RSV)
To be bowed down means to be deeply disheartened by something that happened. Some situations can definitely leave us feeling bowed down, saddened and perplexed, but I just experienced how God still upholds and lifts us up, even during the most distressing experiences in our lives.
Yesterday, I visited the Nursing home, and enjoyed the company of the five special residents who I have befriended over the past two years. The parents of Andy were also there and we decided to pray together for the residents at the table with us. Ray, Andy’s dad, and I have prayed individually for certain residents at various times, but that was the first time we all joined hands and prayed as a group. We prayed for healing and blessing of each resident at our table.
It was a beautiful experience and a huge blessing to those residents who joined hands with us and prayed. I felt overwhelmed with thankfulness, in realizing that Jesus is taking over these visits. I was so blessed just thinking of what God has done over the past two years in the lives of residents through Ray, Martha and my regular visits.
It’s a blessing to have the fellowship and unity of another couple who visit regularly, and also form friendships with the residents. After Martha and Ray left to go home that day, I was still sitting at the table and talking, when Jon’s doctor called me. He said that Jon seemed better lately and he wanted to decrease his medication. I readily agreed and then told him about how he recently answered Ray in a full sentence, in Spanish. The doctor was pleased to hear it and asked me to keep him informed of any further progress in Jon’s communication.
The blessing of having Jon’s doctor call me right after our prayer at the table that day, was an example of God’s perfect timing. It was a like a healing balm after something that happened three days earlier.
Three days prior to that, I had a difficult experience with a neighbor, who lives above me and seems to have some type of mental instability, causing periodic verbal assaults.
Her last explosive episode of verbally attacking me and another neighbor, happened a few years ago. Last weekend, it happened again as she followed me to my door, telling me that she hears me stomping when I walk and how disturbing it is to her. She proceeded to spout many words of vitriol as she walked behind me all the way to my door.
The strange thing is that she lives in the unit above me and I wondered how she could hear my footsteps, while I am walking barefoot in my unit below. As I was trying to explain this to her, I realized that there was nothing I could say or do that would logically resonate, as she started accusing me of lying. Finally, I told her to try and find some peace, went into my house and resolved to pray for her but never again attempt to reason with her.
The whole experience, came out of nowhere and was very upsetting. It certainly left me feeling bowed down as today’s verse says. Three days later was the day I had the blessed day at the Nursing Facility, praying with the group at the table, and then receiving the positive phone call from the doctor, all of which, raised my spirit, and restored my joy.
The Lord really does uphold us when we are feeling downhearted. He raises us up when we are bowed down or feel emotionally drained.
On my drive home from the Nursing home, I recalled how a wonderful lady named Monica, once inspired me. She was the first person I met when I began visiting there. Her mother was an elderly patient at the home, and Monica used to greet all the residents, showing them exceptional kindness and attention. Her mother died soon after I started visiting there, and Monica never returned again, but she left an impression on me that I will never forget. She motivated me to do as she did.
God not only has a mission for each of us, but He also has a back up plan for every mission. Ray, Martha and I were apparently God’s back up plan to replace Monica at that Nursing facility. It’s become a blessing to see how God is working among many residents there. When distressful experiences or hostile people rob us of our joy, God raises us up again, and once more, reminds us that He is the true source of all joy.
Lord, thank you for raising us up when we feel downhearted. Lift up each reader’s heart today, and strengthen us, by restoring the true joy that comes from you. Amen
