Praying for Dad

My telephone rang early this morning and I answered to hear my mother's voice on the other end...

The two seats three rows back on the east side of the church were strangely empty yesterday morning. My parents come to church every Sunday and are never late, but their chairs remained empty throughout the service. James suggested maybe I go out and call, but I decided to wait until the service had ended. When I did make the call, mom told me that my dad wasn't feeling too good. The doctor had put him on antibiotics for some pain and swelling in his neck, and he still wasn't up to par, but he sounded cheerful when I talked to him, so I didn't worry.

... "Mart," said my mom, "I just wanted to let you know that your father is in the hospital."

My parents had called 911 at 2 o'clock in the morning, something my father wouldn't do unless it was a true emergency. He hates being doted on and checked over, he hates being stuck in a hospital, but he was having chest pains so they made the call.

It turns out his heart is fine. It is his left lung that is giving him trouble. He has a mass in there and some blood clots in the other. I have to admit, it sounds bad, but I refuse to get worked up about it right now. That won't help any of us. Tomorrow they will put a tiny camera down his throat and take a look. Tonight I pray both he and my mom are able to sleep; he in the hospital and she at home.

I found God to be especially kind today. He sent my two nephews, Rachel's boys, to Grandma's house for the day. Rachel didn't even know Dad was in the hospital. Mike and Steve kept Grandma company while she otherwise would have been home alone. She and Mike played an hours long game of "Dogopoly" while Dad had tests done and answered questions. This evening Rachel took her to see Dad.

I went up to the hospital too, and on my way in heard someone call my name. I thought I was going to meet Stacy on the soccer field, instead the Lord saw fit to put her at the hospital when I went to visit my dad. I am amazed again that meeting a blog friend in person for the very first time can be so easy and relaxed. It truly was like we already knew each other. "Thank you for being there, Stacy. I'm sorry I missed you on the way out. They said you were admitting a patient. I'll look for you again Saturday."