Life is funny, God is faithful
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. –Psalm 34:4-5 (NIV)
It’s been a bit of a roller coaster the last few days. A week ago, my brothers and I got a call. My mom, who has been in declining health for the last several years, was pronounced terminal. My dad needed reinforcements. We got to his home in Texas, only to learn that the hospital was on lockdown due to the Coronavirus. Daddy was practically beside himself. One of the effects of Mama’s condition is advancing dementia, and the thought of her dying in a hospital bed, confused, afraid and alone, was devastating.
In the days that followed, the symptoms which had landed her in the hospital were either resolved or brought under control. But we were getting mixed messages. Some doctors were advising that this was the end – we should put her on “comfort care” and make final arrangements. Others were seeing the improvement and, though not optimistic for her long-term prognosis, could see the feasibility of discharging her. A sub-plot to this drama was my son and his wife, expecting a baby in California. My daughter-in-law was in the beginning stages of what would become 31 hours of labor.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. –Psalm 34:6-7 (NIV)
One of the doctors on my mom's case negotiated limited access into her room for my dad. Over the next two days, Mama had enough lucid moments for Daddy to discuss the situation with her. This was, straight up, an answer to prayer. We were prepared to let her go if she was ready to do that, and had told her so. As it turned out, she was more aware of her situation than anyone thought. She knew her time was short, and she wanted to finish at home with my dad at her side.
On the morning of the third day, we got a surprising call from the hospital – they wanted us to come and get my mom! Meanwhile, I was getting text messages – a baby was on the way!! We loaded Mama into her van and she was back in her own house by 3:00 o’clock that afternoon, looking at a picture of her great-grandson, born just 30 minutes earlier.
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. –Psalm 34:8 (NIV)
Life is funny. Twice in the last week, I thought we’d be planning a memorial. Once, I wondered if we might see a miraculous healing. In the end, we’ve seen a reprieve, mercy shown to a faithful lady who is ready to go, but in no particular hurry to get there. And as one passes, another is born to reaffirm God’s faith in us: my newest grandchild, who will one day hear a story about how his great-grandmother cheated death to be near to the man she has loved well for 60 years.