May 4 – “The inevitable ‘Wait’”

We had quite the night last night.  Home group went pretty well, to get things started.  We actually finished up the study of Exodus.  Only took us eleven months.  That’s less than a year for one Bible book.  I think it’s a new record.  We also got started into the next segment of our Bible overview study – “What’s up with Leviticus?”  That one won’t take as long.  We’ll do summaries of the laws and sacrifices and spend our time on the action. 

Now, after our Bible study each week we have a time of sharing and praying.  The first hand up this time was from a lady who asked that we please pray for her.  She had been having chest pains and shortness of breath earlier in the week, and the symptoms had started back up … like right then.  Needless to say, several of lay hands on her and prayed, and then Chris kicked into nurse mode.  She took her blood pressure, and it was well outside acceptable limits – in the 180’s, I think.  When it didn’t take long to convince her to go to the emergency room, I knew she was really in distress.  I raced to put some gas in our car while Chris and Lauren helped Sam get what she needed together out of her car.  She wanted to go to the ER right next to where her regular doctors are, so around 9:30 we left for the drive up to Clear Creek Regional Hospital in Texas. 

Her symptoms were the kind that no self-respecting ER ignores.  She was whisked back into a room immediately, and testing began.  The flurry of activity was impressive, as the nurse and even a paramedic trainee leapt into accomplishing their respective responsibilities.  IV started, heart leads taped on, computer information gathered.  It was enough to make your head spin.  And then … it was time to wait.  Yep.  Wait.  Always happens, doesn’t it?  Always a wait time.  But, hey, as we learned in the Home Group Bible Exodus Study, The first, most important task God told the Israelites to do when they were finally all set to build the tabernacle?  Rest.  Wait.  Have a Sabbath day. 

So the inevitable “Wait” kicked in and droned on and on.  Finally the test results came back and the doc came in to discuss them.  Some were outright negative.  That was good.  Yet the symptoms remained to be identified, and some of the tests simply couldn’t be performed late at night.  Those particular personnel were for some reason at home in bed.  So that meant admission to the hospital and another round of testing tomorrow, which by that time was today … only later … when people got out of bed.  Sam was in it for the long haul, so we finally bowed out around 12:30 or so to head home. 

Sam texted me as we were driving that she had just been notified that she was about to be moved to a room.  Even sent us the number.  I encouraged her to get some sleep.  We pulled into the driveway sometime north of 1 a.m. and headed inside for some sleep ourselves. 

Then around 3 a.m. I heard a text come over my phone.  It was Sam.  She was just then getting into her room and trying to get settled.  She was still a little anxious, but finally in a position to actually relax a bit.  We texted back and forth a little while, and finally signed off around 3:20. 

That’s a long day.  Wouldn’t change a minute of it, though (Well, except if she could have avoided the experience altogether).  Sam has been a Seasider longer than we have, and she is basically my age.  Loves the Astros, too.  My kind of gal. 

Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Father, would you watch over Sam today as she undergoes the tests and treatments ahead of her.  Give her doctors wisdom, anoint their skill set, and fill her nurses with compassion.  And help her to feel your hugs surrounding her.  Amen.