Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Minute(s) (as in time) (03/03/11)
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TITLE: All in a Heartbeat | Previous Challenge Entry
By Mildred Sheldon
03/09/11 -
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“Bell, it may be Jason calling,” I said between heart wrenching sobs.
“Angie, what’s wrong with you. Why are you crying and what brings you here so early?”
Between heartbreaking sobs I finally calmed down enough to say,
“Bell, my brother Hank had a heart attack, and it’s a pretty bad one from what Beth said. I’m so upset that I can’t think straight. I called Jason at work, and he’s on his way home. Hank is only 40, and he is too young to have a heart attack.”
I put my arm around Angie’s shoulder and we walked toward the kitchen. She sat down heavily as if she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. I held her gently as if she were my own daughter and let her cry.
“Angie, oh Angie I have no words of wisdom to ease your pain and no magic cure all pill, but I have access to the greatest physician ever that I go to when things hit me. He is my strength and refuge. ‘The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake,’ and that’s so very true.”
“Oh, Bell, I knew I could count on you. You always have the right words to say when my aching heart is ready to break. One minute Hank was fine, and the next minute he slumped over clutching his chest is what Beth said. There was no warning signs whatsoever.”
“Angie, your brother is going to be okay. Beth remained calm and called 911 getting help for Hank quickly. Remember, ‘blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble.’ I know when your parents were killed in that car wreck you raised Hank. Have faith my precious, everything’s going to be alright.”
“Bell how can something like this happen? One minute he was fine, and the next he’s clutching his chest. As far as I know no one in our family has heart trouble. That’s what I can’t understand.”
“Oh, my precious Angie, we live in a fallen world, and there are all kinds of sicknesses, troubles and whatever going on. As long as we believe in God he will never leave us. He is with us always, even to the end of the age. Jason just drove into the driveway, so let me call him, and let him know you’re here. If you like I can go with you to the hospital. I don’t think a little dirt from gardening will surprise them.”
“Hey Jason, Angie’s over here. Go grab her purse and we’ll meet you at the car. Angie’s upset and she needed a shoulder to cry on. If you don’t mind I’ll go with you, because Angie and Beth are pretty upset.”
Jason said, “God bless you Bell. I don’t know what we’d do without you. Well, ladies lets get to the hospital and get an update on Hank’s condition. We’ll be there in a New York minute.”
Beth was sitting in the waiting room when we walked in. She came running as soon as she saw us and fell into my arms sobbing, “Oh Angie, as soon as we got here they took him into surgery. I’m so afraid.”
Bell put her arms around us and whispered, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
We looked at Bell and hugged her tightly, and I said, “Bell you are our tower of strength. I don’t know what we’d do without you.”
We all sat down holding hands as Bell prayed, and was leading us in the Lord’s Prayer when the doctor walked out and came over to us smiling.
After we heard the good news we let out a whoop and all four of us said, “Praise God.”
We all embraced giving God all praise, honor and glory for bringing us through all those hair raising moments all the while laughing jubilantly.
Psalms 23: 1-3 NIV
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
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