The theme for today is: Encouragement

Psalm 10:14-18. A psalm about encouragement.

This short passage from Psalm 10 is a gem. God is a great encourager. He sees trouble. He considers, he takes note of, he takes His time with, our trouble and grief. He deals with us compassionately. He hears prayers. He listens to our cries. He loves the weak. He defends the weak. He encourages the weak. The NIV version of this passage reads “you encourage them.” The ESV notes “you strengthen their heart.”

What a burst of encouragement! Fresh hope! Firm confidence! Faithful care!  God doesn’t lose interest. He doesn’t lose control. He doesn’t leave us on our own. He doesn’t ignore us and look the other way. The One who began a good work in us, in Zach, will bring it to completion. God is encouraging Zach minute by minute to run this difficult race with perseverance. God is a great encourager.

Today’s Updates:

After 14 weeks of ICU-level care, Zach was transferred to a hospitalization unit at PLC this afternoon. This means he will no longer receive one-on-one nursing care, but it also means that he has come to a point in his healing where his needs are much lower than before. Praise God for all of Zach’s improvements since March. Since Zach will likely be sharing his nurse with six other patients at night and cannot use the call bell when he needs help, Ed will stay with him tonight to make sure that his needs are met.

The last two days have been better for Zach. He slept quite well overnight, and also took some naps throughout the day. His periods of agitation were short, and usually subsided quickly once the nurses helped him get more comfortable. He is still receiving low levels of oxygen through his nose. Zach has done pretty well in physio, especially today. He sat in his recliner chair for 5-6 hours in a row yesterday and today. Zach has been following a few more commands recently as well, and giving more smiles.

Zach still has a lot of healing ahead of him, especially with his neurological recovery. The plan is that Zach will still get regular physiotherapy and visits from speech language pathology while he is in the new unit. Please pray that Zach’s brain may continue to heal and that he will respond well to his treatments. Pray that God will allow him understand his situation and to communicate again one day, especially as he is in this step down unit.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Please pray for Zach as he adjusts to another new room and new rhythm of care. Pray that he will continue to rest well overnight and that he will feel at peace during the day. Pray that God will heal his body and brain in his good timing.

“But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted;
 you consider their grief and take it in hand.
The victims commit themselves to you;
 you are the helper of the fatherless.

Break the arm of the wicked man;
 call the evildoer to account for his wickedness
    that would not otherwise be found out.

The Lord is King for ever and ever;
 the nations will perish from his land.

You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted;
    you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed,
 so that mere earthly mortals
    will never again strike terror.”

(Psalm 10:10-14)

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)