Love

Today a family friend called me to check in on us and Dad. She reminded me of her frequent prayers and renewed offers to do “anything we need” (as so many of you have graciously done). I told Mom I wish there was something we could tell people when they ask how they can help. I would love it if there were a task we could give each person who wants to do something. Heck, I’d love it if there was something I could “do.” (It brings to mind Colonel Brandon in the film version of Sense and Sensibility feeling helpless outside the sick room of his beloved: “Give me an occupation, Miss Dashwood, or I shall run mad.”) But I am reminded that God does not always call us to “do.” Sometimes He calls us to “be.” (“Be still and know that I am God.”) At the risk of another quote, “They also serve who only stand and wait.”

Yet though the sweet friend who called felt there was nothing she could offer, today she gave me an incredible gift. This lovely woman, whom I have known for many years and is so dear to me, does not express herself as freely as some. When she speaks a word, whether of praise or censure, it carries great weight. The gift she gave me today were the words, “I love you, Rachael.”

Love is every cliché and then some: a great prize, a precious treasure. Yet our culture treats it lightly; a cheap commodity. I don’t mean to be overly sentimental, but it is true that at the darkest moments we see with crystalline clarity that which is true and noble and real. “And the greatest of these is love.” When you ask what you can do, and we say, “nothing,” that doesn’t mean you all have nothing to offer us. Your love and support, prayers and hope are the air we breathe. We are so grateful.

And if we can feel and live off of that love, those prayers, we know Dad is doing the same. His blood pressure was still up and down today, but he seemed much more alert and responsive. When our pastor and long-time friend visited Dad today, he told him, “Leo, I brought the Bible you gave me so I could read to you” and his eyes opened right up.

Please continue to pray that Dad’s lungs will clear (today’s x-rays show little change from the last ones), his blood pressure would stabilize, and his body would make enough blood cells on its own. Please pray also that he would not become discouraged, but would continue to be buoyed by the love of so many.