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The place where I used to work was the place I also dread…of
going into with other purposes aside
from just working…
After my husband got over his man-cold, my son became ill
right after. We recognized the symptoms. We knew it wasn’t the flu. There was
one moment couple of years ago where we had gone to ER for a couple of trips as
he started having headaches. Despite the nausea and vomiting plus the headaches,
every test ordered for him came back normal. As the three of us were gathered
in that tiny, very busy guerney, reserved for non-trauma cases in our town’s
busy ER.
I just got done with my errands last Friday and after the
chilly temperatures, my son, being sick already for a week, managed to get back
to school for 2 days and on that Friday, as the sun’s hottest rays hit him, he
started not feeling well again. I got a call the moment I was parking my car in
the garage. It was him, wanting to go home and the nurse needed my “okay.” I
wanted to make sure he was okay to drive and he said he could. The minutes of
waiting for him while I was in the garage felt like in a slow motion. I was
never bothered anymore with anything, not even the heat. The lunch I bought,
warm and with crispy fries, grew cold. Untouched.
He rested and I gave him fluids. He slept well but when he
woke up late in the afternoon, he complained already of a mild headache. He
knew it now as if he was rehearsed from those previous trips we had done to ER.
He was calmer. I wasn’t sure if it was because of his more maturity or just
being used to this illness from his seasonal allergy, he was gentle in uttering
his symptoms, laughing at times even. Maybe
he didn’t want me to worry. Or…He didn’t want the trips to ER knowing I
would bring him if his symptoms got worse as I told him I was concerned he had
been ill for a week. As a mother, I knew he might be just getting dehydrated
for not eating enough (though he was drinking adequate fluids). I was not as
afraid also. Same with my husband.
He vomited more. He felt weak. He knew. It was time. I had
all the things we needed ready well ahead of time. I got the car keys and drove
as my son sat next to me, my husband toting the other stuff at the back of the
car. The air was a stark contrast to the day’s heat. The ER was full. That
sight discouraged my son. Knowing the wait would be forever. But I asked for
him to be PATIENT. There was no choice. He knew. He needed something for his
headache and vomiting.
They called him within an hour. As my husband and I silently
prayed.
How true that God
indeed helps us learn from tough times.
We learned so much from those previous ER trips. That now,
the three of us knew deep inside. It would be okay. No matter what outcome…
For whether the outcome would be good or not, we all knew the
truth by then:
That… neither
height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate
us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans
8:39;NIV).”
I dreaded that place. The smell of antibacterial cleaners.
The throng of people seeking treatments. The sounds of vital signs monitor. The
conversation between doctors and patients. The procedures done. The medications
given. People weary from all the waiting and the symptoms they were
experiencing.And the only thing that
came to mind and made me so grateful was this:
Through troubled and
calm journeys, none would change the fact that God’s love would never be abated
in those circumstances. All those unpleasant things signified nothing. But even
if death came, it would only bring a believer closer to God. One thing remains...Only one thing: God's love never fails!!! Glory to You Oh Lord!
(P.S.)
Thanks be to God, my husband and son are both doing well. My
son started eating more yesterday and already looks so energized this morning
as I checked on him. I also thank the Lord for giving me the strength to be
able to help them and Him, keeping me from getting sick.
Lord, I lift up all
of Your children who are going through tough times right now. You know each of
their needs. Please help them with their faith that they may seek You more and
be drawn nearer to You. For those who don’t know You, may they be able to open
up their hearts and minds to know and accept Your unconditional love. Thank You
Lord for Who You are. For everything that You have done for us. Thank You for
Your love and mercy. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
