Tag: GOD’S ANGELS

Finding Hope in the Hospital: A Personal Journey

This was not a good day at the hospital. Where was hope?

This was not a good day at the hospital. Where was hope? The doctors are not happy with the amount of fluid the kidneys refuse to expel; the physician again adjusted the meds. Bill’s blood pressure began to climb. To top it off, the other doctor was not happy regarding the occasional dips in oxygen. Didn’t God know what was going on?

CANCELLED HOMECOMING

This was the day Bill had a 50/50 chance of finally coming home from the hospital. That chance flew out the window. Our hopes plummeted. I was barely able to put one foot in front of the other. Didn’t God hear me?

DOESN’T GOD WATCH OUT FOR ME?

My emotional state was fragile. And then came the text. An acquaintance told me in no uncertain terms what demands I must make of the hospital. This text was not a suggestion; it was in command form. I need another command like a hole in my head right now. Doesn’t God watch out for me?

Earlier I had prayed for just some glimpse of Him on a very dark day.

GOD SHOWS UP IN THE PRODUCE AISLE

But in then the middle of this mess, God shows us up!!!! I stopped at the grocery store on the way home.  There’s a young man who works there who is both friendly and goofy. The guy is a big man, and I look like a midget beside him. He passed by me in the produce aisle, paused and turned around. Then he asked, “How are you doing Honey?” (No disrespect, he always calls me that) 

I barely kept back the tears as I told him this wasn’t a good day. He asked what happened. After carefully listening, he gave me not only one, but two bear hugs. He told me he’s praying for me.

GOD HEARS EVEN IN THE DARK

God heard me all the while today and sent a young man as an angel in the produce aisle. In the midst of all of this, God is very much present. I only can see right in front of me, but God sees the miles yet to go. God hears even in the dark. What a blessing when random people feel the nudges of God and obey! God shows up.

Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? (Matthew 6:26-27)

GOD SHOWS UP

All those tears I have tried to keep in check since the first hospitalization on November 25th ran down my face. God heard.

Since November 25th our days have been filled with ER visits, hospitalizations, doctor appointments, and a confusing array of conflicting opinions from specialists. We are exhausted, down to our last array of strength, and God keeps showing up often when we least expect it.

ANGELS FROM GOD

“Angel” means messenger from God. God apparently has an abundance of them in human form. Two days ago, I was exceptionally brittle and down to my last ounce of courage. As I trucked in to yet again keep vigil at the hospital a song played. It mentioned tears at Christmas. At that point I lost it. I literally howled in the car. All those tears I have tried to keep in check since the first hospitalization on November 25th ran down my face. God heard.

LOVED, SNOT AND ALL

God showed up. That afternoon one friend stopped by unannounced. She lost her husband several years ago and understands the emotional and spiritual warfare at play. She didn’t tell me to buck up or shower me with Christian truisms. Instead, she hugged me, loved me, spoke Scripture over me and prayed for me. Within the hour another Christian sister also visited; let me cry, snot and all. God showed up through these angels.

None of these sisters belong to a Christian committee or are paid to visit. They just listen to God and turn up.

ROCK BOTTOM

The next day, Bill hit bottom both physically and emotionally. The doctor told him that his blood numbers are finally beginning to start to look better. The next words were “You will be here until at least the weekend.” Not the words Bill wanted to hear, especially since he was experiencing unrelenting backpain. Bill had just been transferred out of the ICU to a new floor in the hospital. They were understaffed. Official medical help was a long time a coming.

BROTHER D

Out of the blue, in walked Brother D. He didn’t have a set agenda. God delivered our messenger of encouragement. Brother D did it beautifully. He listened to God’s nudge and obeyed.

DRIVE BY MESSENGERS

Then arrived our friends from another country. I call them “God’s Drive by Messengers”. Due to their experience caring for their invalid father for a number of years, they gave Bill the best foot massage he ever received. Then together as a team they repositioned him on his bed, so Bill’s back was more at ease. Nudged by God, they showed up and unconventionally obeyed.

HEARING THE NUDGE AND SHOWING UP

And that is the role of genuine believers – they listen to God and show up. It might not be something in their comfort level, and it may not fit in their schedule.

Thanks to all of you who have sent messages, called and dropped by. Kudos to you who have ardently kept us in your prayers. Since November 25th, twice without the intervention of God we would have lost Bill. Heaven will be blessed by Bill’s presence but there are still so many more lives Bill wants to reach for Christ.

GOD SMILES

Dear Messengers, the world is not aware of your service, but Heaven is listening to your obedience to Christ. You have felt God’s nudge and showed up. God smiles.