The Keeper of the Stars

This week has been a week of ups and downs, so I am not posting my usual hymn, but using this as an opportunity to share what has been on my heart.

There is a country song, sung by Tracy Byrd, titled "The Keeper of the Stars".  It has a beautiful melody, and I love the words to the whole song.  But, the chorus especially speaks to me.   At the end of this, you will hopefully understand why.

My husband and I have only been married just under 6 years.  We have had a wonderful, whirlwind life, trying to catch up on all the things we missed out on in our earlier, working years.  Those of you who have been following my blog for a while know that in April of this year, Dan suffered a heart attack and subsequent cardiac arrest.  It was totally by the grace of God that he was already in the hospital when he suffered the arrest, or the story would have had an entirely different ending.

He has been following the protocol for post-cardiac incidents, and we were being told everything was going along well.  However, he has been still feeling very tired, having no energy, and frequently was dizzy.  After his trip home to see his family, we decided that he should go back to the doctor, even though he was not scheduled to go until October.  He saw his regular physician, who decided to run an EKG.  What he saw on that test spurred him to refer Dan to his cardiologist.  This past Wednesday, he did just that.  I was not going with him, because we thought it was just a routine followup, but at the last minute, I asked if he would like me to go along.  He said he would - my first indication of his fears.

He was taken back immediately, and was back in the examining area for quite a long time.  He finally walked to the waiting area and asked me to come back with him to see the doctor.  He said that he had some bad news.  My fear was immediate and great.  I tried to ask calmly what that meant, and he said that the doctor told him he had to have a pacemaker as soon as they could get it scheduled.  I had barely had time to digest this, when the doctor came by to talk to us.  He explained that Dan's heart was slowing down.  He has always had a relatively slow heartbeat, with 45 - 60 beats per minute being the norm.  However, during the extensive EKG done that day, there were quite a few abnormal atrial beats, and a heart rate that dipped as low as 25 beats per minute.  He said that the difference in the past 3 months was marked, and there was no medicine they could give him that would speed up the heart and enable him to resume a normal life.  The only thing he could see that would handle the problem was a pacemaker.

Now, I know they are pretty routine, and that it is a fairly common procedure - they even do it as outpatient with only local anesthesia.  But, I can tell you, when it is being done to someone you love, there is nothing simple about it!  He is scheduled for the pacemaker on Wednesday of this week.  Barring any complications, he will come home that evening, or at the latest, on the next morning.

So, with a deep feeling of gratitude to my Lord and Savior, I ask for prayers: for wisdom for the physician, strength for me, and peace for Dan as we wait for the next change in our life.  As you read the words of this chorus, you will hopefully understand why it is so close to my heart.

"So I tip my hat to the keeper of the stars
He sure knew what he was doin'
When he joined these two hearts
I hold everything
When I hold you in my arms
I've got all I'll ever need
Thanks to the keeper of the stars

It was no accident me finding you
Someone had a hand in it
Long before we ever knew."


I thank God for His goodness, and you, my friends, for your faithful prayers.

Linking to Spiritual Sundays.