In the same line of thinking of when God revealed Himself in a real and tangible way, I recalled another incident. I am ashamed at my failure to remember God's faithfulness especially when I am feeling like my prayers are going no further than the ceiling. I am saddened when I consider all the times God has intervened and I failed to acknowledge Him. Truth is that God is always working in my life, seen and unseen. Truth is that God has promised to never nor forsake me.
It was our anniversary. We had planned for our children to spend some time with their uncle while we celebrated. We made plans, I do not recall exactly what those plans were but probably dinner and a quiet evening together, our budget being rather scant. The day or so before, hubby started to complain of not feeling very well. Believing it was likely a flu bug I didn't give it much thought, he would recover quickly.
Friday arrived, hubby stayed home from work ill and going more downhill as the day progressed. He was drinking fluids and resting to fight the 'bug.' Disappointed, I canceled our plans and settled in to be a nursemaid. Hubby is not one to go to the doctor, he has to be extremely ill or in severe pain to consider such a visit. Day turned into night and still he was not feeling any better. I teased him he didn’t need to get ill to express his displeasure in our plans.
Very early the next morning, he awakened me to take him into urgent care. "Wow," I thought, "he must really be feeling awful." He then revealed to me that despite drinking massive quantities of water, he could not urinate. This information propelled me out of bed and into motion.
Still very early, much before the polite hour to call another's home, I called my parents to arrange child care for our children. Thankfully, my dad is an early riser, but I think I got him out of bed on a Saturday at this early hour. He arrived shortly thereafter, and I packaged my shivering yet sweating and hobbling husband into the car. Urgent care is first come first serve. Suffice it to say we were first, as we waited 30 minutes in the parking lot waiting for the clinic to open.
I was becoming more concerned by the minute. He was walking like an elderly man and very pallid. In the waiting room I tried to keep him warm as the chills wracked his body in waves. He was asked for a urine sample, which was impossible. He was diagnosed with a prostate infection which can be treated with antibiotics. But it was very worrisome that he had not been able 'to go' for over 12 hours and he had taken in two quarts of liquid. He was sent for an MRI - I think it was an MRI anyway, to look for any blockage.
The imaging clinic was across the street, I helped him to the car and out again and into the clinic. I planted him in the nearest chair and checked him in for the test. He was given some barium (brain is fuzzy on the substance) to drink. It was a several hour process… drink this much now and this much more later. Poor guy, it was horrible tasting and he was miserable and uncomfortable.
Sitting in the chair, I watched my husband fade before my eyes. I finally approached the desk and asked if they had an examining table or bed he could lie on and blankets. By now the chills were non stop. His color was very disturbing. Needless to say, I was becoming frightened. They kindly found him a gurney, a room, and blankets.
By now it was lunch time, he sent me out to pick up his prescriptions so that when the test was complete I could just take him home without needing to stop for medicines. I reluctantly left his side. I put in the order for his meds at pharmacy in the big box store. As I waited, I did some shopping for band aids for my youngest, she was always in need of band aids for real and imagined boo-boos. Funny how I remember finding Strawberry Shortcake band aids for her.
I called to check in on the girls and to give the report of hubby's condition. I was teary as I expressed his condition and my concern. Mom then asked me if I has put him on the church prayer chain. Duh! I had not thought of that, I was so caught up in caring for him. I, of course, had been praying but did not think of including the body of Christ, so caught up in caring for him. She offered to make the call for me and we hung up.
I received the medicines from the pharmacy, grabbed a sandwich, and rushed back to his side. I was anxious to return to him. He was not any better than when I left him. I ate my lunch, called his parents, and prayed over him. About 30 minutes later, within 60 minutes of putting him on the prayer chain, he informed me he needed to use the bathroom. Really?! A nurse and I assisted him to the restroom with the use of a wheelchair, as I recall. It was a 'productive' visit to the restroom! Immediately, he began to feel a bit better and his coloring improved. They continued with the test, saw nothing, sent him home. He was ill for about a week, it takes a while to recover from such an infection.
I believe that God intervened on his behalf. Yes, it could have been the stuff they gave him to drink that cleared some sort of blockage. But I believe that God can use that in His healing process if He chooses. I am more interested in the timing of when the change occurred. It was shortly after a call for prayer. I am ashamed that I had not asked for prayer earlier. I do not believe it was coincidence that hubby improved as we sought prayer support. God is all knowing, He knew what we were going through, He was waiting and willing to assist. We only needed to ask. Something to remember and never forget.
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