On April 21, my sister went to pick up my mother from her home for a hair appointment. She found that mom had fallen the night before and could not get up or reach the phone to call for help. A call to 911 got her to the ER where she was checked out thoroughly. Thankfully she was not seriously injured. She was, however, over-medicated. She spent a few days in the hospital, then transferred to rehab to get her strength back. It became apparent that it was no longer safe for her to live alone, so my siblings and I worked together to find an appropriate assisted living facility that could give her the help she needs while allowing her to have her independence. Yesterday we moved her furnishings into her new apartment, and today, almost three weeks later,  she will be released from rehab and begin the transition to her new home.

My father went to live with Jesus 32 years ago this month, so mom has been on her own ever since then. A change like this is never easy, especially because she will be ninety years old in just a few months. But she is making the best of it. Cheryl and I spent some time with her yesterday and she is doing great physically. She is back to her old self, no pun intended. We had a devotion time with her and prayed with her, and she is ready to get out of “that place.” So we are hoping things go smoothly.

While I will not be with my mom today, my sisters will. As I was thinking about this entire situation, God led me to read Psalm 91 this morning.

Psalm 91 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the Lord, who is my refuge—then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Mom has been blessed with long life, and her faith in Jesus assures her of salvation as well. I am thankful for the people who will be helping her in her new home. While she is still with us, I know her guardian angels will be with her, and that God is her refuge and fortress.