Near the Broken-Hearted

Things have not gone well or smoothly for poor mom after falling and breaking her hip and elbow, though there are always glimmers of blessings. I was spending the night last night at the foot of her hospital bed in a recliner. I slept in brief spits and starts, so awoke quickly when a nurse came to draw blood. Mom hates that and it really hurts her. Her entire left arm, wrist, and hand is black and blue -- and that's not even the broken one.

Anyway, when the nurse left, poor mom who has had trouble shaking the lethargy from the narcotics and anesthesia was groaning and mumbling. I got up and went close to see if I could tell what she was saying.
"Nononononono..." she was chanting.
"Are you in pain?" I asked.
She shook her head.
"Then what are you doing?" I asked.
"Entertaining myself."
"With a no-no song?"
She smiled and then began singing.

It was an oldies song I didn't know, though I do know many from her era. Dad and I used to sing them and play them on the organ. When she finished, I started singing Red Sails in the Sunset.
She joined in singing every word. Then I asked if she knew Unchained Melody. She shook her head.
"Yes you do." I started singing. Again, she sang with me all the way to the end of the song.

"You know, Mom, I don't think I have ever heard you sing before," I said.
She smiled at me, eyes starting to drift closed.
"Sleep well. Goodnight. I love you."

She opened her eyes and looked at me, "You're the second one to tell me that tonight."
I wondered who was the first. Jesus?
(Later she told me the first was John, my dad.)

It was a rough night and even rougher morning. We all are dog tired, and praying poor Mom will rally soon. Still, as I closed my weary eyes, trying to shut out the sounds of alarms and nurses voices, I thanked God for the blessing of hearing my mother sing for the first time I could remember.

It is not always easy to find God's comfort when the storm is raging and you are having a hard time finding any safe, dry place to rest. However, He has always sent glimmers of hope when my own resources are depleted.
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Psalm 34:17-19

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.