Bible readers know that time numbers are used frequently in the Bible. God created the world in 6 days and then he rested on the 7th day. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. Jesus’ ministry lasted 3.5 years; he was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days, he was in the tomb 3 days, and he stayed with his disciples after the resurrection for 40 days. There are MANY more examples.

Once you know, you will see them everywhere. Oh, look, 3 days! 40 days! Some may say that the numbers themselves are not literal, but either way, they obviously meant something important to the inspired writers of the Bible. In my examples above, those numbers were mostly related to a period of trials or testing.

Spiritual battles are every bit as real as the daily difficulties we experience at work or while driving or parenting. We are spiritual beings living in a physical world. When we go through trouble of any kind, we always hope it will be short-lived! But sometimes it persists and we can grow weary.

Most of us older folks can recall a 7 year period when things were very difficult and then it got noticeably better. I believe the world is probably going through a 7 year trial right now, starting in 2020, but I am not a prophet. But based on what I am seeing in the news and living in my life, pandemic, economic and political turmoil, deaths, wars, spiritual warfare and revival, it looks like a time of testing. Covid could also be part of a 40 year trial if you consider that these things have been going on since at least the 90s. Either way, it doesn’t feel like a time of peace in the land.

In my own life, life is always a bit tumultuous since I have a large family and low income which means we are always repairing our stuff, but things have definitely felt extra difficult off and on for a while now. I keep thinking it’s getting better and then another round will come. Not sure when to start the ‘trial timer’, it’s usually more clear in hindsight. But God has been faithful through each and every new battle. Whether Covid, depression, finances, injuries, identity crises, health of loved ones, changes in routine, spiritual growth, or simply breaking down of cars and appliances, I have felt Him with me helping me cope and His active protection and help in each situation. God does not leave us alone!

Grace Coded for 12 minutes

So the other day day, at 12:30 AM on Friday1/19, Grace’s heart and breathing stopped for 12 minutes: she coded, in hospital terms. She was revived by the doctors and nurses with CPR. Her lungs collapsed and she had to have chest tubes inserted. But God preserved her body during this time and she seems no worse for the wear!!! My husband and I were expecting the worst, after getting the call to come to the hospital, but Grace surprised us by making eye contact and we knew that she was okay. We give God all the glory. However, she is still fragile and we are not taking anything for granted. She was transferred yesterday evening to a different hospital where she can be seen by specialists. She has something called a granuloma in her trachea that is causing all the trouble and which was a factor in her heart stopping. Her trache doesn’t fit properly due to the granuloma and it fell out. It came out two other times so they finally reintubated (through her mouth). If God chooses to take her home, we will still trust Him.

After this happened it was difficult for me to leave the hospital. I stayed there from Friday to Monday evening. But she finally seemed safe and stable enough that I felt comfortable going to work yesterday. Work is a good mental break from everything else, and I am thankful for my understanding bosses and coworkers. I am going to the new hospital today to meet new doctors and nurses. This hospital is further away and parking is not free or convenient.

God’s Presence and Peace

Many people have asked me, “How are you doing?”. My normal response to Grace being sick is to sorta put on my emotional armor, take care of her needs, and wait for it to end. But her ‘coding‘ pushed me past my limits. I found myself literally ‘crying in the chapel’. The hospital has a beautiful chapel where I met with God and He truly comforted me when I took off the armor. I felt His presence or the presence of angels or something. My whole body relaxed for those blessed minutes. I’m so thankful for that release of tension. It’s not easy, though, to stay in that state. I have to fight the tendency to forget to abide in Him at all times.

I was Googling information about people dying and being revived and I came across a story of a man whose trache got clogged and he died for 10 minutes. He left the hospital 40 days later. That 40 jumped out at me. Hoping Grace will be home sooner than that, but it has been 4 weeks today. 40 days sounds reasonable.

Today is Grace’s 23rd birthday, too.

But I have to get going. Thanks for all of your prayers and love. I am reading as many blogs as I can. Take care and God bless you all.