Bind Us Together

For the past week Karl has been slooooowly progressing. But progression is certainly better than regression. Each day nurses get him up to sit in a chair, which is quite a production. He has gone from clear liquids to full liquids to soft foods in a matter of four days. Anna, his nurse, just ordered him a fruit smoothie which apparently has a protein additive. Anna and I told him it was ground up beef liver, sardines and anchovies. I suppose that’s not the nicest thing to tell a guy with no appetite.

The doctors are pretty sure the kink is gone, but since it’s been about six weeks since his last meal, his stomach is probably pretty small and he’s not very hungry. Tomorrow a dietician will visit him to see if there are foods that sound more appetizing. As soon as he builds his appetite a bit more they will discharge him to the rehab floor where he'll spend another 6-8 weeks before finally coming home (we hope). Somewhere in the mix he'll have to start chemo again. Of course he's not looking forward to that at all. But I have a feeling this week will bring about a lot of positive changes for Karl. And I know we owe much of that to your prayers and all of it to God’s grace.

I’ve had the opportunity to reflect recently about all the wonderful things people have done for Karl – the fundraisers, the yard work, the “move,” the visits, the calls, the gifts, the cards, the blog comments, the prayers and everything else done to help Karl and the rest of us.

Then last week while at church, I opened my hymnal and from it fell a song sheet. At the top of the sheet was the song, “Bind Us Together.” I really like that song and began humming it in my head, then I started closely reading the words and I realized Karl’s experience is doing just that – it’s binding us all together. And then during the the second reading, I followed along carefully. It was Romans 12:1-8 and talked about the fact that we all have different gifts assigned to us by God and that together, we are one body. God was certainly speaking to me last Sunday and sending me the message that YOU are all a part of Karl's healing. The Hamilton/Smith family will all be eternally grateful for your gifts of love and kindness and feel bound to God with and in and through you.

Bind Us Together

Bind us together, Lord,
Bind us together with cords
That cannot be broken.
Bind us together, Lord
Bind us together, Lord
Bind us together in love.

There is only one God. There is only one King.
There is only one Body; That is why we can sing:
(Refrain)

You are the family of God
You are the promise divine.
You are God’s chosen desire,
You are the glorious new wine.
(Refrain)

Blessings,

Kerry