It has not been a good week in the Coleman household, Tim and I have had problems with fraud on our bank account, we thought one of the cars was showing signs of failing completely (thankfully it was a minor glitch), and then to cap it all Chris was admitted to hospital last night with arrhythmia problems, a reading of his pacemaker revealed that he went into heart block for a period of time yesterday afternoon.
BUT there have been real signs of hope and light in the mess that calls itself the last few days. So many people have offered us help and prayer, it is heartwarming to be cared about and for , not only that but I have been so impressed and thankful for the way that my children and their friends have reacted and supported one another.
Chris was on a mission trip and placement from Cliff college, they were in Rotherham. His girlfriend was a part of one of the other teams; she collected things he might need and took them in to the hospital in Sheffield for him, she then stayed the night at my daughter Joanne's house in Sheffield center. Jo made Ness a meal and sorted out a bed for her, they had breakfast together this morning before Ness set off . Emma, my elder daughter relayed all of this to me this morning, Jo hadn't worried about calling home as she knew we'd be waiting to hear from Chris and the hospital.
I know that what Jo did was not extraordinary or even perhaps unexpected, but it was a very thoughtful and care filled reaction, and one that shows how good her relationship is with Chris and Ness. It reminds me that my children are very capable of sorting things out without my help. I don't feel redundant, just proud of them! I guess it means we haven't done too bad a job on the parenting front!!!
Jon. Jo's twin is at home, and recognising that both Tim and I were stressed and distracted last night he stepped in and cooked the evening meal, even planning it himself! He has just cleaned the living room for me too.... ( no he is not available for hire or borrowing, we need him!!!)
Chris is being taken back to Cliff tonight and we will collect him from there, he will need to rest while we wait to hear from The Royal Brompton Hospital on whether they will bring the scheduled specialised catheter ablation forward from the scheduled date in July. This is a similar operation to the one that caused major complications last summer; this year Brompton have new and specialised equipment and as the need is pressing they will try this delicate procedure again.
Back to prayer then, but still holding on to a hope that is both present and for the present, and necessarily present and eschatological; this life is not the end!
Friends will understand why I like this setting of Psalm 23:
S/he holds me,
and I hold on in turn!
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