I got the call early one morning. It was my mom. Dad was just not looking good, and she was headed to the hospital to have them take a look.
When I got to the hospital, I saw my dad - he did seem a little weak but what happened over the next hour I will not forget. I will not forget the shadow of death that I saw...the look in my mom’s eyes, the emptiness in my stomach and the puzzled look in doctors eyes as my dad blue coded three different times over that hour. After the first time they stabilized him they invited us back into the room only to rapidly ask us to leave. The door slammed behind us as they hurried us out. I remember looking back before the door shut and seeing about 10 nurses and doctors frantically working over my dad, practically everyone in the entire ER was in that 6x8 room. My mom and I held each other and comforted each other as the uncertainty of the doctors created an environment for fear. Though there were tears and uncertainty, my mom and I were content with what ever results came. In that moment, that would be described by many as chaos, I felt a peace.
God was with us on that day...and later we found that my dad would be with us many more days as the fluid around his heart that was suffocating it, was drained and his heart was able to beat again.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me...”Psalm 23:4a (NASB)
Even though the shadow of my dad’s death was within clear view to me and my mom, we knew God was with us. We felt His presence as we connected with Him in that moment.
Fear? I’m afraid not.
-CMF
When I got to the hospital, I saw my dad - he did seem a little weak but what happened over the next hour I will not forget. I will not forget the shadow of death that I saw...the look in my mom’s eyes, the emptiness in my stomach and the puzzled look in doctors eyes as my dad blue coded three different times over that hour. After the first time they stabilized him they invited us back into the room only to rapidly ask us to leave. The door slammed behind us as they hurried us out. I remember looking back before the door shut and seeing about 10 nurses and doctors frantically working over my dad, practically everyone in the entire ER was in that 6x8 room. My mom and I held each other and comforted each other as the uncertainty of the doctors created an environment for fear. Though there were tears and uncertainty, my mom and I were content with what ever results came. In that moment, that would be described by many as chaos, I felt a peace.
God was with us on that day...and later we found that my dad would be with us many more days as the fluid around his heart that was suffocating it, was drained and his heart was able to beat again.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me...”Psalm 23:4a (NASB)
Even though the shadow of my dad’s death was within clear view to me and my mom, we knew God was with us. We felt His presence as we connected with Him in that moment.
Fear? I’m afraid not.
-CMF
I remember that time very well too. I was still working at Salta then. Many prayers were shared for him and for your family. God is faithful.
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