The book of Psalms is a collection of feelings, written much like we would write in our diary. For me, in May/June of 2024, I wrote my “diary” on social media as a way to connect with my family and friends in other countries.
Our daughter had encouraged me to start a blog specifically for our travels to keep the family updated as we toured different places. That sounded nice in theory but honestly by the time I would fall into bed each night, the blog was too complicated for my limited brain cells. Instead, I had the kids in a group text to keep them updated when dad was hospitalized with endocarditis, emergency heart valve replacement and then a stroke.
Hundreds of friends and family were sending messages asking about the latest update or how they could help. It became overwhelming to keep up. My focus was on being my husband’s advocate and staying alive and healthy myself so that I could be there for him.
We needed prayer and lots of it. I started taking those family texts and editing them to share on Facebook. Connections happened that only God could create through His web of Christian believers and it stretched literally across the globe.
After weeks of struggling to find a safe place near the hospital, I received three separate messages from three people who did not know one another. They all told me about a place within a mile of the hospital called CasAurora run by a religious organization with a small university on-site. It is akin to a Ronald McDonald House for people who have family in the hospital and need accommodations. The problem — they only have 30 beds. I visited them and discovered they just had a cancelation moments before I arrived, so there was ONE room available.
It was perfect. The fee was small, the room was clean, it had a small bathroom and a dining hall where I could pay to safely have a dinner each night. This may sound silly, but when you have clutched your valuables to your body in a money belt for almost a month, the value of safety is indescribable. I could now walk to and from the hospital without public transportation. There were stretches of the journey with narrow streets and no sidewalk, yet I wasn’t afraid. I figured if God had gotten us this far, He wasn’t going to let me get hit (or if He did, there would be more of our story to tell).
Gratefulness was pouring out of me and I couldn’t help but sing and hug everyone I met. Including all of the students who were from various countries and others with loved ones in the hospital. When you see God’s hand orchestrating even the smallest details and putting them into place, how could I NOT praise Him?
I was given a key that got me into the locked building, the elevator, my room and the basement laundry room. Being on the third floor offered elevator trips multiple times a day that became normal for this claustrophobic girl. Knowing it was a Psalm written in Italian because of the reference at the bottom, I looked it up and was comforted by these words:
Then I scanned the rest of the Psalm to discover its powerful context:
The gift of His presence through this storm is immeasurable. The friendships we made are eternal. The lives impacted for His glory, only God knows.
I can truthfully say, I am thankful for this uphill climb in Italy. It wasn’t picture-perfect like many of our friends experienced, but it was perfectly placed in our lives so that we will forever bless His name.
Father, the people we met, the unique steps we encountered were purposely orchestrated by You, our heavenly guide. We trusted You throughout the journey even though we could not see anything on the horizon that looked familiar. You were and are our constant in this life. When the turbulence hits, You hold us steady.
May those who read this find You in the midst of their struggle, in Jesus’s name, amen.