The theme for today is: Answers.

God answers the prayers of His children. He knows the answers before we pray. He never ignores His children. He is never too busy to answer His children. He is always listening. Always gracious. Always caring. Always wise. Always perfect. Always loving. Always answering. He is the only one who has all the answers. He is the only one who has the best answers. It’s always good to pray. It’s OK to want answers.

When we pray we want answers. When we pray we get answers. But sometimes we’re not ready for the answers we get. The answers don’t seem like answers. The answers don’t seem to connect with the prayers. The answers seem to cause more trials, disappointment, pain, frustration, grief, restlessness, and soul searching. They seem to increase doubt and fears.

Sometimes the answers aren’t what we hoped for. Sometimes the answers are what we hoped for. Some answers seem to come too late. Some answers seem to come too quickly. Some answers are expected. Some answers are unexpected.

Prayer reminds us to manage expectations. That is ‘our’ expectations. Our expectations are often unreal, if not wild. That because we focus on ‘our’ expectations. We focus on ‘our’ answers.

Manage expectations. Manage answers. Focus on God’s expectations. Focus on God’s answers. They are always provided. They are always perfect. They are always providential.

We, and Zach, rejoice for your constant prayers. We, and Zach, rejoice for God’s constant answers. God answers the prayers of His children.

Today’s Updates:

We received the good news this week that Zach has been accepted into AgeCare Seton, a care home in southeast Calgary that was our top choice due to its location and facilities. Please join us in thanking God that Zach will have a new place to receive care once he is discharged from the hospital. It will likely take a few weeks before the care home has a room ready for Zach with all of the equipment he needs for his regular care. Please pray that the transition will go smoothly once Zach is able to move to his new home. Zach is very young compared to the rest of the residents at this care home. Please pray that he will receive regular support and visits from his friends, family, and church family once he settles in. Please also pray for us as we walk alongside Zach in the next stage of his care.

Zach has been quite tired in the mornings this week, sometimes sleeping through the whole morning. Please pray that Zach will sleep well at night so that he will be refreshed each morning. Pray that he will have the energy and wakefulness that he needs for attending his therapies and going to church on Sunday. Zach continued to experience some agitation this week with his regular care. Please pray for peace and understanding during his episodes of agitation. Pray also that God will calm his mind and body so that he will not have as much agitation with nursing care.

When Zach was awake and able to attend his therapies this week, the sessions went well. We ordered an eye tracking communication device for Zach based on the trial devices he has been using since the beginning of December. Please pray that Zach will become familiar with his device and learn to communicate effectively with it once it arrives.

Zach is having fun in occupational therapy, when he sometimes gets to bat around a big rubber ball and try to catch it in his arms. Please pray that Zach will continue to find fun and joy in each day. Zach received another round of Botox treatment for his left wrist this week to loosen up the muscles in his arm. The goal of this treatment is to relax Zach’s muscles to reverse some of the contracture in his wrist. Please pray that God will bless this treatment and that Zach’s wrist will become more functional.

Zach has started eating more of his meals again, but will sometimes only accept his yogurt and flavoured cottage cheese that he gets at each meal. This means that he has been able to consistently take his medications orally when he is awake since we usually mix them in with his yogurt. Please pray that Zach will continue to be willing to eat at meal times. Pray also that God will broaden his appetite so that he will feel like eating different dishes at his meals and receive the nutrition that he needs.

Thank you for your prayers for Zach and for the people supporting him. Please continue to pray for Zach, especially as we head into a time of transitioning into a new home. Please pray that Zach will know God’s nearness and goodness every day. Pray that God will give him the strength and clarity that he needs for each day. Have a blessed Sunday.

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The Parable of the Persistent Widow

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

(Luke 18:1-8)