Paige Aleah

Life is just so interesting at times. The last two weeks have been anything but predictable. But what an incredible testimony at how amazing and real the Lord is. Saturday morning I got a call from daddy that Papa Nathan had a stroke. I was not only out of the state, I was not sure when I would be able to get home. My 5 day trip had already turned into 9... and I wasn't sure exactly when I was coming home. I am definitely a "crier", but the amount of anguish and sadness I felt after that phone call was completely indescribable. My papa, a man who I talk to on a daily basis, who I love and cherish in every respect, was suffering. My heart was pounding and I had no other answer but to pray and to cry. That is all I could think of. I felt so helpless, being so far away, and not knowing exactly what was going to happen next.

Well, I won't leave you in the dark any longer, I got home on the first flight on Sunday morning and headed straight to see Papa. By that time, it had been 24 hours since the paramedics arrived and took him to the hospital. He had made tremendous progress. His right side was not drooping, and he was able to talk and have conversations with all of us. He was still in ICU, and remained there until this afternoon, but was looking and acting as healthy as could be. I spent the greater part of yesterday and today at the hospital with him. I am amazed at the amount of visitors that wanted to come and just love on him. They would tell me stories of their memories of Papa, and so many of them shared with me that he was the one that had baptized them. It was so neat to see the incredible impact that Papa has made in the lives of so many people. The way he could still work an entire room of people, even from a hospital bed, was beyond me.
Life was definitely presented in a different lens these past few days. My thoughts have been consumed with perspectives and ways in which approach daily living. I am so thankful for my family and the people that the Lord has placed into my life, and I hope that each and every one of them understand how much I love and cherish them. I have also been thinking so much about how much comfort I have in knowing that Papa loves Jesus Christ more than life itself. I just could not imagine trying to process a situation like this without the Lord. I am positive that the Lord was the only real comfort that I have had through all of this. The gift of eternal life really is the most precious gift of them all, and I know that both Papa and myself will be able to receive that someday. I just hope that the Lord lets us keep my Papa around here for a good amount of time longer.. ;)

I have been reading a Proverbs, a Psalm, and the book of James each day. It has been such a great thing, gaining wisdom and seeing the beautiful literature written in the Psalms. Also, learning more and more about the book of James and all of the encouragement that comes along with it. I read Psalm 4 today and wanted to share it. Such a beautiful passage of scripture.

Psalm 4

¹ Answer me when I call to you,

my righteous God.

Give me relief from my distress;

have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

² How long will you people turn my glory into shame?

How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?

^{³ Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself;}

the LORD hears when I call to him.

⁴ Tremble and do not sin;

when you are on your beds,

search your hearts and be silent.