SO THANKFUL I MET SELAH AND BROUGHT HER HOME WITH ME

Pause, and calmly think about that…

Selah is a word that we talk a lot about with our Guests. The literal meaning is, “Pause, and calmly think about that”. We encourage our Guests to put thoughts of the past and the future on “pause” and calmly think about how good God (Abba Father) is right now. Selah is living in the moment and recognizing that God’s Presence is only found in the PRESENT.

Here is what a recent Guest shared with Patty and me:

“After my mother passed away from complications from dementia last fall, the Operation Mobilization USA People Care team recommended a respite week. This was not the first hardship we had faced in the four years since we sold our home in northern Indiana, left our kids and grandkids and moved to Georgia to better support our volunteer roles at OM. Todd’s mom passed away from a 10 year battle with dementia and we moved my folks to GA to provide better support only to have to move mom two more times as her health declined more rapidly than expected. Two weeks after my mom passed, my dad was also diagnosed with dementia. Really Lord?? I don’t think I can go through this a 3rd time.

We had trouble scheduling the respite week as we needed to make sure we had someone available to stay with dad. Finally, we reserved a week in March. As the date approached I realized that it would fall on the most critical week of the OM project I had invested countless hours in over the past 6 years. I read and re-read the commitment I signed about not working while on the respite week. I wanted to honor my commitment but how could I be gone this critical week?

At the start of our respite week, Joe introduced us to the concept of Selah – Pause and Calmly Think of That. I had to smile as “pause” and “calm” are not two things I do well – especially given the magnitude of the week I was “missing”. I decided to do my best to embrace Selah. I reread my prayer journals since starting the project and reflected on the journey of supporting parents with dementia. I was reminded of three words that have been my focus – Obedience, Humility, and Continually.

I read Jeremiah 45:5 one morning and it hit me - it isn’t about me. OM can sell the project without me. I will support my dad through dementia – a disease I hate. I will daily rely on the Lord to help me courageously obey the path ahead with a humble heart. So thankful that I met Selah and brought her home with me.”