Prayers for My Father, Please

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by diakonos

His step mother. Bonus mom.

I guess I'm getting old. Where does this nomenclature stem from?

[diakonos]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

I guess I'm getting old. Where does this nomenclature stem from?

He made it up

[Bro Flame]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Your aunts are coming against what your father believes while he is recovering?
Tell them to hit the road, and if they can't be kind then take THEIR beliefs somewhere else.

Yes, there have been a few instances before his strokes where he and his sisters would disagree about doctrine and the Godhead, but such things have worsened since he's entered recovery.

Most recently, one of his sisters accused him of being judgmental when he said he would not be attending the family fish fry because my cousins and uncles would be drinking. This aunt said our church was judgmental and didn't love people, and she couldn't understand why had an issue with drinking when her preacher can hangout with her husband and sons whilst their drinking.

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

I'm afraid to ask, but what is a "Bonus Mom."

My "Bonus Mom" is my stepmother. Before she and my dad were married, we all decided we weren't going to do the "step" thing. I simply call my "Bonus Mom" Mom when I speak to her, but in such descriptions, I might revert to "Bonus Mom".

[Bro Flame]

Originally Posted by diakonos

He made it up

It's actually quite common where I'm from. I know many blended families that refer to their step-parents, siblings, what have you, as "bonuses" to their lives.

[Bro Flame]

UPDATE: Thursday, January 12, 2022

The physical therapists felt that Daddy wasn't giving it his all when he came to therapy, so as of Monday, he's been shifted back to just one day a week instead of three. Daddy's disappointed, naturally, but I can honestly say I don't think Daddy was giving it his all when he went to therapy. He dreaded going, and my Mom spoke of him being occasionally hard-headed with therapists in their requests to get him exercising.

This is all quite baffling for me. I never saw my Daddy falling into a comfort zone and not wishing to push for anything more. He originally had some determination in him to put these strokes behind him and get better, but that seems to be slowly withering away. I pray for him and encourage him that he can do things without canes and walkers as aids, but a fresh fear seems to have crippled him.

Spiritually, Daddy is consistent. He remains strong in his faith that Jesus can heal him, and he is constantly reaching to lost family, friends, old co-workers, and everyone in between, to come to church and experience the reality of Jesus. He practically brushes off any sense of anyone not wanting to experience this Apostolic way, although it does often get to him how hard his siblings (especially his sisters) come against it.

Daddy is getting to preach some on the mid-week services. Our pastors are encouraging him to do this in an effort to strengthen his brain and keep him seeking the Bible. He preached our Wednesday evening service last night, and he did very good. He spoke on each of laying down the Isaacs in our lives that hinder us from following Christ as strongly as He would like.

I'm thankful for my Mom who has stood by Daddy and cared for him. I'm thankful for my wife, my confidant, who stands firmly by my side as things around us seem to change abruptly. Our church and pastors are always a great strength. It's amazing how you can feel Holy Ghost prayers even when you aren't physically present with someone.

Still, I find myself wondering if Daddy will ever "fully" recover. He has been significant progress, but the wall he's hit recently doesn't want to budge. We continue to hold fast to the faith in knowing God can restore him completely.

I thank each of you for your prayers and consideration. We appreciate them.