Monday, July 25, 12:00 noon

Right now, they are taking out the heart/balloon pump. This is a dangerous procedure. It will both put strain on the heart and it is being removed from a major artery in her groin so the whole clotting thing is possible. The medication they stopped at 7:00 this morning was the blood thinner so that when the pump is taken out it can heal. As I left, I gave Mom a hug and she hugged me back big and opened her eyes a bit ... and I saw that twinkle in her eyes when she wants to say, "I love you." During our time together just now I reminded her of the year we moved from California to Nova Scotia. That was a year filled with fear for me. I was deeply afraid, and Mom would write me Bible verses that spoke of being afraid and how we can turn and trust in God when we are afraid. Over my Tim Horton's coffee this morning, I searched the Scriptures for those "do not fear" verses (some of which which I'll leave with you after this post) and one stood out to me for Mom above the rest which I shared with her. It is from the book of Ruth and says, "Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence." It's like what God says to Mom ... and her excellence is found in Christ alone.

Here are some more "Do not fear" verses for all who trust in Christ:

Do not fear ... for the LORD your God is the one fighting for you.

The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.

Then David said to his son Solomon, “ Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.

Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident.

‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, ‘ Do not fear, I will help you.’

But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!

Thus says the LORD who made you And formed you from the womb, who will help you, ‘ Do not fear, O Jacob My servant; And you Jeshurun whom I have chosen.

“Fear not, for you will not be put to shame; And do not feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced; But you will forget the shame of your youth, And the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more."