He Gently Leads You

Equipping Moms with Bible Studies

  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • Blog
  • Donate
  • About
    • Sandra Bretschneider
    • This Ministry
    • My Faith
  • Free Downloads
    • Library of Downloads
  • Contact
josh-felise-38242.jpg

Purposed for God's Glory

May 30, 2016 by Sandra Bretschneider in grief, purpose

“Dad, sit right here. I’m going to give you a haircut,” I said, but my dad didn’t sit down right away. No, despite my persistence in trying to get him to sit down in about three different chairs, he continued to wander around the room. He didn’t want to sit down. He apparently didn’t feel safe sitting down. My dad was experiencing late stage Alzheimer’s disease, and over the past month he had steadily declined. For him, something as simple as the act of sitting down in a chair made him feel uneasy. “Please give me this moment with him,” I prayed. “Please help him to sit down, God. I really want this moment with him.” Maybe my earnest prayers were my heart responding to the uneasy feeling I had deep within me. Maybe my heart felt an urgency to relish every moment with my dad. Maybe I knew my dad’s days were numbered. Whatever it was, God responded to my heart’s cry because my dad finally settled into a chair. 

As I draped a cape around him, I reassured him of my abilities. This was not the first time I was cutting hair, but for him it was the first. I never knew it was going to be his last haircut. Slowly and carefully, as to not cause any more uneasiness, I sprayed his hair and combed it straight. Wet and silvery, gray strands were then combed in between my two fingers. Finally, I began snipping piece by piece. My dad sat quietly in his chair, slightly bent forward. As I moved around him and at times, knelt beside him to cut his hair, I began to think of him, God, and purpose. Then, I prayed over him. I don’t remember the exact words I prayed, but I do remember what I prayed for. I prayed he would continue to live out the purpose God had for him.

In Isaiah 43:7 we are reminded that our lives are purposed for God’s glory. Ecclesiastes 11:5 also emphasizes the supremacy of God, his work, and his purposes by saying, “As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.”

What was my dad’s purpose in this late stage of his life? God’s word is clear in Isaiah 43:7. My dad’s purpose was to bring glory to God, and it wasn't about me or anybody else understanding it. It was never about us. It was always about God.

The day I spent giving my dad a haircut ended up being the last day I spent time taking care of him. A few days later, I received a call from my mom informing me that he was being taken to the emergency room. Three weeks later, we were making plans for his funeral.

Looking back on the day I spent with my dad has more significance to me now than I ever knew before. It was a special gift God gave me, just me and my dad together, and what a wonderful gift it was.

As June 1st approaches, which will be two years since his passing, I am again reminded of his life here on earth. The day will bring sad memories, but I can also rejoice knowing my dad is living out his full purpose in the presence of the Lord.

________________________ 

This week is unlike most weeks. If this is the first time you are reading a post from this website, hang with us one more week. Every week I typically share about my experiences as a mother, but occasionally I write about how God is moving and working in other areas of my life.

For this week, I want to honor the memory of my dad. The best way I know how to do that is to share the gospel. It was what his life was all about. For the study this week, we will be studying the gospel message. It will not be the typical “Romans road” you may be familiar with. I think it will be beneficial to study other areas of Scripture that we may not be as familiar with.

As you study along, I encourage you to commit to memory some of these verses as you feel led. Please click here to download this week's reading guide. Let's begin this week by reading Monday's passage. 

“But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets our need-one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.” Hebrews 7:24-26, NIV 

As you read these verses, consider the following questions: 

  1. What are the characteristics of Jesus in this verse?

  2. What does Jesus do for us?

  3. On our worst days, why is it important for us to know Jesus is able to “save completely those who come to God through him”?

Photo: Josh Felise

Pin it!

Custom Collage.jpg

Don't Miss a Post!

Subscribe here and get new posts delivered right to your inbox. Receive FREE downloadable resources throughout the year!

We respect your privacy.

Thank you!
May 30, 2016 /Sandra Bretschneider
grief, purpose
  • Newer
  • Older

 Stay Connected

Blog posts by subject. . .

  • Christianity
  • God's will
  • Jesus
  • abiding in Christ
  • body image
  • christmas
  • fear
  • grief
  • hurt
  • marriage
  • motherhood
  • praise
  • prayer
  • purpose
  • quiet time
  • rest
  • serving
  • stewardship
  • struggles
  • suffering
  • thanksgiving
  • the gospel
  • waiting

Featured blog posts. . .

Featured
How I'm Overcoming Fear
Nov 5, 2018
How I'm Overcoming Fear
Nov 5, 2018

I know what a panic attack feels like. When adrenaline surges through my body I have to blink a few times just to see clearly.

Read More →
Nov 5, 2018
When You Need Direction
Sep 10, 2018
When You Need Direction
Sep 10, 2018

Five years ago my husband and I made a life altering decision.

Read More →
Sep 10, 2018
The Struggles and Hope of Intentional Motherhood
May 14, 2018
The Struggles and Hope of Intentional Motherhood
May 14, 2018

In the coolness of the evening hours, I thrive in the simple, quiet beauty of the outdoors.

Read More →
May 14, 2018
Doing Less is Better
Mar 5, 2018
Doing Less is Better
Mar 5, 2018

A spectacular display of serene beauty awakened the night sky. There were no clouds above, just vast space and billions of brilliant stars. I sat still in the darkness, gazing with wonder at the familiar, yet distant night sky.

Read More →
Mar 5, 2018
A Letter to a Weary Mom
Jan 22, 2018
A Letter to a Weary Mom
Jan 22, 2018

You are not alone. The days are long and hard. I get it. Believe me. The days are long but short at the same time, and all they do is repeat themselves.

Read More →
Jan 22, 2018
Does Your Marriage Reflect or Reject the Gospel?
Oct 16, 2017
Does Your Marriage Reflect or Reject the Gospel?
Oct 16, 2017

The wind whipped fiercely across the boulder field, dropping air temperatures below freezing. Though the sunset was perfectly glorious amid the horizon of mountainous silhouettes, less daylight meant a greater danger.

Read More →
Oct 16, 2017
One Truth That Will Change Everything
Sep 18, 2017
One Truth That Will Change Everything
Sep 18, 2017

My friend was diagnosed with cancer a week ago. And you know what she said to me? “Pray for God's glory,” she said. Her response was sobering. "Yes, God's glory! And a miracle!" I thought. Unfortunately, cancer is a beast she's familiar with. Years ago she battled it, to its defeat. She knows what the word “cancer” entails. Her memories bear many scars of suffering.

And yet, God's glory is at the forefront of her mind. But why?

Read More →
Sep 18, 2017
Suffering: When Questions Remain Unanswered
Sep 4, 2017
Suffering: When Questions Remain Unanswered
Sep 4, 2017

Suffering. A word we are more than merely acquainted with. Unbearable heartache leaves us worn, naked, and vulnerable. Exposure always seeks a hidden place though. Except, our tendency isn't to seek after the One who allowed hardship.

Read More →
Sep 4, 2017

Powered by Squarespace

He Gently Leads You equips moms with Bible studies.

Choose a Free Bible Study