Day 25

Honesty seems to be a valuable commodity these days. At some point in history, a hand shake and promise were enough. At least that is what I hear. I love the thought of such an exchange. That word and integrity were, at some level, held esteem. Maybe I am an idealist or prefer to see something that produces hope than horror in all things. But it is apparent that things on this side of heaven can stretch these convictions. So what will we do with this information? How will we respond? Tonight doctors have told me that my brother may be transferred to Borgess PIPP, an acute long-term care facility. Borgess-Pipp is in the top one percent of long-term acute care hospitals in the country for patient satisfaction and statistics published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The nation's average one-year death rate is 50 percent, but at Borgess-Pipp it's just eight percent. This sounds like a positive, but this is a push by his insurance company because costs are lower for him to be cared for by such a facility. This comes in part because he is currently not a candidate for Mary Free Bed, a rehabilitation facility, primarily because of the infections and the costs. So, today points towards some confusing next steps. With this all being said, I find my hope less in conversations and simple thoughts... but in the dreams of a God large enough to serve. Why? Because hope lives or dies in what we believe. Some of us believe in a career move, relationship, material gain, education, money, trust, church, or almost anything under the sun. But, none of these give me hope. They only have a season to exist and to fulfill a void. Still with this being said, it does not remove us from the pain that is in store, even for those that see the big picture. You see, I love my brother and desire his health to be restored. But frankly speaking, I desire something much deeper at this point. And I can only trust in the author and perfecter of my faith. The one who gives life and is out for all of our best outcomes. So please continue to pray for our family. Some day I will be so thankful to share with you all the stories that I have heard! Pray for those still coming in and out of the ICU. Pray for those around you that may be struggling with life and the efforts involved in it. And remember, no matter how far you have gone or how desperate you feel, that love wins. Those evil and discouraging things that are happening. The brokeness and despair. The missed times and past. They will be redeemed. They will be fixed. Because love wins. Your life matters. Don't give up!