Faith in Action – Answered Prayer

Tonight I attended Sunday evening worship service as I do every week. Pastor was teaching from Romans 9:30-33.

Suddenly a young mother rushed in, tapped the woman ahead of me on the shoulder and they both ran out. There was a lot of noise and commotion from the nursery.

The woman ahead of me, an R.N., came back and asked a man to come to the nursery. One of the little ones was choking on an apple and not breathing. Two of our men – both trained – went back, another to the office to call 911, although my friend was already on the phone with the dispatcher and the bus was rolling toward us.

Pastor stopped teaching and we all started praying. His wife began sobbing so I went to sit with her – everyone was doing the same thing. Teens, littles, adults – congregating in small clusters, some crying, all praying.

The ambulance crew took the little guy off, one of the men drove the Grandma and Mama to the hospital. The Grandpa left to drive himself. Aunties gathered up the other children.

We continued to pray in our little groups. Pastor’s wife and I were holding onto each other – each comforting the other simply by being there. Soon, 2 of her 9 children were in our huddle and our attention turned to comforting them.

The phone rang – every head turned to the back of the room. “He’s breathing” was the announcement. “Praise God” was the resounding chorus from everyone.

It was not until then that I broke down. My prayer had been answered – what had happened 3 years ago and my grandbaby, Jacey had been on my heart the whole time while my daughter’s heartache was a palpable force as I prayed, “Lord, I cannot bear to see another tiny casket. Please, God, protect this little guy. Please, God, protect his mother’s heart.”

While we are still unsure of this little guy’s prognosis, we know that he is in God’s hands and we know His are the best hands in which to leave Him.

I praise the Lord that these three trained individuals were there tonight. I’ve had the training – and I could probably do it if need be. But – as I have trouble even with the mannequins, I would just rather not have to put it to a test. Our God knows that, too.

One friend asked me afterwards if I was okay and she said Jacey’s name. You’d be surprised how many people don’t – perhaps for fear of causing pain. I am thankful she felt okay to ask me.

Please pray for young Christopher and his family. Pray that there is no damage because of this.

And, know this – as was demonstrated tonight in an awesome way – our God is an awesome God – He reigns – and – He answers prayer.

UPDATE
9:42 p.m.

Two phone calls - one from the pastor's wife, the other from the R.N. They are medivaccing Christopher to Providence in Anchorage because of the apple still in his lung. They are better equipped there to handle such a thing than our little hospital here. Please keep this family in your prayers. Aspirations often lead to pneumonia, so that is a concern - as is the unanswered question about possible brain damage.

thank you, friends.

Posted by Purplemoose at February 8, 2004 08:52 PM