I was jolted out of bed this morning by the first ring of the telephone. I looked at the time and realized it was 9 am. I was surprised that someone was calling so early, because that's usually not the norm at our house.
"Hello?" I answered. "Hello, Shari, this Brent, your husband's friend from work. I wanted to let you know that I had to take Bill to the minor emergency for back pains that were radiating through to his chest." Upon hearing those words, my heart sank into my stomach and I felt like everything else was going on around me, but yet my part of the world had stopped. I rushed to the minor emergency and there in the parking lot were the ambulance and a firetruck, I instantly knew they were there for my husband. I jumped out of the car and raced over to the ambulance to see what was happening. They told me they were taking him to the closest hospital to check things out, but he was awake, alert, and his vitals were stable. They asked me if I'd like to see him, and with a resounding, "Yes!" they opened up the back doors.
There, for the first time in my life, I saw my husband, pale as ghost, in the back of an ambulance, hooked up to an IV, looking tired and weary. I was so thankful he was awake and alert, I told him that I loved him and how much he had scared me. He said he was sorry and asked me to run home to grab something for him before I went to the hospital. I agreed, shut the ambulance door and then they were off.
All of these place were within a relatively short distance of each other, so I made it back home within minutes. As I was pulling up to the driveway, I passed the fire department that lives right next door to us. I saw their firetruck sitting in the driveway ready to pull back in side. I stopped dead in my tracks because it just hit me, that firetruck was out because of my husband. They had just got back from taking care of him.
You see, anytime I hear the "boys" go out on a call, I immediately pray for them. I pray that God would surround them with His angels of safety and protection, as well as protect and be with who will be on the receiving end of their care. It made me realize that you just never know, you never know when you see an ambulance, a police car, or a firetruck speeding away, if they're on their way to help one of your own.
When I arrived at the hospital they did numerous tests on my husband and found nothing major wrong. The doctor felt that it was muscle related, and it might take a few days of rest to get things back to normal. We are not completely out of the woods yet, as he is still having a tremendous amount of pain. However, we are trusting in God for healing and to guide our steps.
God was with us throughout the whole day. He was standing by our side, guiding the doctor's hands. As, I sit and home tonight with my husband by my side I feel and overwhelming sense of God's unwavering grace.
Today could have ended completely differently.
My husband could be in the hospital tonight, suffering the long term affects of a heart attack, or worse yet, I could of lost my husband of nearly 25 years.
Today was a reminder, a wake up call, to be thankful for everything, to never take anything for granted. It reminded me to live fully and completely in each day and each moment, because you never know what the next moment holds.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9
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Yes, Shari. We can turn these hair raising appointments with the medical community into a reminder to be thankful for all that God has given. My mum recently passed away in an emergency room, and I walked out of that building with a renewed appreciation for a healthy body - and a determination to work harder at keeping it that way.
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrifying experience, Shari! But it's also a good reminder for all of us to remember how blessed we are. Thanks for sharing your story. Praying for your husband today.
ReplyDeleteOh, my, how scary. I'm so thankful God spared both his life plus a worse outcome. I try to remember to do that when I hear a siren or see an emergency vehicle - pray for them and the person they're going to help. I saw one time, on Mr. Rogers, I think, that one way to help children not to be afraid when they hear sirens is to teach them that the vehicle is going to help someone. My son and d-i-l are teaching that to my grandson.
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful the emergency ended up well. May we always remember to pray for the EMT's, the patient, and the family when we hear sirens. Surely God's grace, mercy, and strength are most needed during those moments. May God be with you and your husband!
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