The Psalmist said it, and God’s word is accurate. So why do we not trust it?  “Be still and know that I am God.”  Be still.  Not crazy.  Not stressed.  Not worried.  Not inconvenienced.  Not ticked off.  Not opposed.  BE STILL.

And know.  Not be pretty sure.  Not think about.  Not forget.  Not pretend.  Not hope.  KNOW.

That I am God.  Not in charge of some of it.  Not there IF you need me.  Not on the side watching.  I AM GOD.  I am the great I Am.  I hold you in the palm of my hand.  I knew you before you were born.  I can, and will, handle it.

Today, we took Arla to see the Gastroenterologist.  Her PEG Tube (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube or feeding tube) was becoming discolored inside.  The Vancrest nursing staff was concerned and called to make an appointment with the doctor who inserted it over a year ago.  Sounds easy.  Sounds logical.  Not simple at all.  The nurse who made the appointment assumed (not sure why) that the doctor had an office in Van Wert and that Arla would be going to an office in Van Wert.  Transporting Arla to this appointment would require an ambulance since the doctor would most likely want her in a prone position to look at the tube.  Moving Arla from a wheelchair to an exam table in a doctor’s office is impossible.  After several questions and more than a couple phone calls, the necessary people figured out that this doctor had his office at Lutheran Hospital, so Arla would be going to Fort Wayne for the appointment.  Not a big deal, but Mary Ann, who goes to all Arla’s appointments, needed to request leave from work.  In the mean time, the conversations about the necessity for the tube, and is it time to take it out, started up again.

Well, Arla got there and back with no problems.  In less than an hour after arrival at the office, we were seen and on our way home.  In fact, the most calming receptionist on the planet checked us in.   Her PEG tube is fine.  In fact, the Physician’s Assistant said the area on her stomach where her PEG comes through is one of the best she has seen in awhile.

As Arla continues to work on being able to swallow thinner liquids, the conversation needs to happen about whether it would be good to just remove PEG tube.  Arla currently takes all her nutrition via mouth and most of her liquids via mouth.  The tube is used as a convenience to administer a couple meds.  The rest of her medications are taken by mouth.

Today, after all the tension and stress of coordinating and getting to an appointment, God reminded Mary Ann of the gift the appointment was.  She drove to Fort Wayne alone.  Busy moms rarely get alone time.  She had a chance to see the colors of fall beginning to show.  She got home before the rest of her family and had  moment of quiet.   She thought of Arla who had a chance to get out of the skilled nursing facility.   Then God said… “Be still and know that I am God.”  So Mary Ann sat down to post it on the blog.  God loves you.  He is in charge ALL THE TIME.  Let peace enter your life and let God take charge.  Amen!