Monday, January 9, 2012

Brother Dan Came Home! But...he needs prayer!

My brother Dan came home again from the hospital...thank you prayer warriors for all of the prayers.

Now we need more prayers. I told you all that he accepted Jesus on Christmas day...and he seems sincere and we have seen changes in his attitude, and he has been a better patient since that day...and even joyful at times. BUT.....
Dan is a gambler...and he goes to casinos...in fact he camps there in a motor-home van. He doesn't think he is addicted. (But he is.) He had a good day with his health on Saturday. He was playing hymns on the piano Saturday morning. He sat on the front porch for quite awhile in the afternoon and got some sunshine. He ate dinner upstairs with us instead of us taking it to him on a tray. He played Scrabble with us, and even sang along with the cd's I was playing. He seemed a lot better, and it did my heart good to see such progress.

Well...Sunday morning he and his fiance left and went to the casino a couple of hours away. He intends to stay there for a few days. This is so crazy! He is not well enough...and this is such a bad decision on their part. He has been a smoker for many years, and since his quadruple heart by-pass surgery he has quit smoking. Smoking is allowed in the casinos, so he will be around all of that smoke. I hope he will not get sick from it...or be tempted to smoke again.

He is a Diabetic now. He needs proper food, blood sugar monitoring, insulin and rest, and exercise...and regular check-ups. In fact he is supposed to be monitoring his blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight etc., and entering them into a device they sent home with him from the hospital. It goes directly through the phone lines to the hospital so they can keep tabs on him. (He of course didn't take that device with him.) He took his medications with him...but I am concerned for him, and just want him to see the wrong in this kind of decision. My husband and I have been taking good care of him for weeks now, and we hate to see him taking these risks with his health.

Everyone who comes to Christ must not only accept Him as Savior...but also let Him be Lord of their life. Please pray that Dan will do this. He is 58 years old, and we can't force him to do anything. We have to let go and let God work in him. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will convict him and guide him to more sensible decisions.

God does bring deliverance...even from addictions. When my husband got saved at age 49 he had drank for 30 years...and God delivered him and he never drank again. I know sometimes it takes time and not all people are the same. Every situation is different...and God is the one who delivers...in His way, and in His timing.

So if I may be so bold to ask you to pray...again ...please be in prayer for Dan...that he will not have a relapse. And that he will have spiritual growth and understanding. We love our brother and want God's best for him! Thanks so much!

16 comments:

Mamaw's Place said...

I know you have got to be worried sick because I would be if I was in your shoes. But you are doing the only thing you CAN do at this time and thay is praying and asking for prayers. Never hesitate to give a shout my way if you need prayers. Praying that God not only protects him but helps him see what he is doing and guides him in the right direction.

BARBIE said...

When I gave my heart to the Lord, I still had things in my life that I had to turn from. It didn't all happen at once. I will continue to pray that God would transform Dan by the renewing of His bind and that he would not longer be bound by the things of the world. That the Lord would completely remove his desire for gambling.

Lisa @ Life is Crazy Beautiful said...

It was most likely a typo...but I love that Barbie said she would pray he would be transformed by a renewing of his "bind"...because it totally makes sense! He is enslaved by this addiction. We are praying that he will learn to love Jesus so much more than gambling, and also that his health will become more important to him.

Love you muches!

Maryellen said...

Oh Linda, I'm sure you are so worried. I have family members who are addicted to many things and they are so stubborn. The Lord is with him and watching over him. Praying the Lord will woo him to desire him and that he will get a distaste for the casinos. My brother who is an alcoholic, diabetes, bad liver, can hardly walk 53 years old - lives at the local race track. We humans are all slow to learn - your brother is certainly not alone in this. Our God is well able.

Jeanie said...

Your concern and your love are both very evident. I hope you will not let worry about your brother keep you from taking good care of yourself. It sounds like right now all you can do is pray that things will be as positive as possible for him and know that he is in God's hands.

susanwalkergirl said...

Dear Linda,

Absolutely, I'm honored to pray for Dan and his fiance.

Every time you feel anxious or worried about him, turn it into a prayer. That's what I started doing with my brother.

Blessings...Susan

Deanna said...

will continue to pray........

Caroline said...

I was just wondering yesterday how he was doing. Praying , Praying so much.

{{{Hugs}}} Take care

Janet said...

Praying for your brother and your family.

Blessings & Love
Janet

Kristin said...

I will keep praying, Momma. I know it must be so hard to see him do that, especially since you've been taking such good care of him. I hope that his fiance will realize where he needs to be and encourage him to follow doctor's (and Momma Linda's) orders. :)

annies home said...

praying

Jenilee said...

praying with you! It is SO hard to watch people struggle when you know they are choosing a hard way... big hugs for you!

HappyascanB said...

Oh, Linda. . . Joining you in prayer. I'm so sorry.

susanwalkergirl said...

Continuing to pray Linda and looking expectantly for the Lord to answer those prayers.

Lois Christensen said...

I hope your brother realizes what he is doing is wrong and needs to be taking better care of himself. I hope you have some relief from your worry for him as well! I will continue to pray. Sometimes people are delivered from bad habits immediately, yet others still struggle with them on a daily basis.

Holly said...

Praying for him! I know God can help him overcome anything. For some deliverance is immediate and with others it takes much prayer and fasting.