Whitnee's journey with Christ

Question for anyone who has ever had, babysit, or cared for for a little one: Do you remember when your baby was fussy and nothing seemed to soothe the baby? You changed their diaper, gave them a warm bottle, swaddled them in their warm blanket, gave them their binky and cuddled them next to their favorite stuffed animal after cradling them in your arms singing lullabies…but nothing seemed to work? I remember those days. It was always a night or two when I was exhausted and ready to lie down that the babies were restless so we decided to go for a ride in the car and listen to some sweet gospel music until the baby went to sleep.

I had one of those days on yesterday except it wasn’t a baby; it was my mother!

She had become congested overnight and nothing seemed to work. I thought well maybe she needed some fresh air so Rico drove us around to drop some clothes off to Faith for her boys, go to the ATM, check my moms mail, and pay the neighbor for cutting the grass. After all that she was still a little agitated so Rico and I went to look at a house while we were out in hopes of the fresh air helping to alleviate some of the congestion. Boy was I furthest from wrong.

Riding around works for babies, not congested grown women. I don’t know whether the riding motion made my mom nauseous or the hot summer day but first she said “what fresh air” and then next thing I know she was vomiting. I normally can handle a little throw up but this was coming out rapidly from her mouth and trachea. I knew panicking wouldn’t help so I made sure to remain calm and tried to reassure Rico, whom was looking in the rear mirror out of concern for my mom verses watching the road.

I guess the heat got the best of us because Rico was pulling over in the Fazoli’s parking lot- so I thought! Next I heard, “Welcome to Fazoli’s, may I take your order.” Between my mom throwing up and rock wanting a strawberry lemon Italian ice I just wanted to jump out of the car and hide under a rock. I’m sure there were plenty enough rocks on Harbison for me to hide under but guess it wasn’t God’s plan.

Finally my mom stopped throwing up and shrugged her shoulders when I asked her if she had felt nauseous. We got back home and she cleaned herself up. I suction her, put the saline in her trachea to break up some of the mucus, NOTHING WORKED! So I decided to text Whitney the nurse to see if she had any suggestions. She told me if my mom had trouble breathing then to call 911 and take her to the emergency room.

It wasn’t the fact she couldn’t breathe; she was just congested. I had checked my moms oxygen rate, pulse and blood pressure and that was all fine and dandy. Time went by and it was like a roller coaster, she would be fine and then at times the mucus got so thick.

Trying to get back to what I had planned for the day I managed to get her comfortable enough to go to sleep so I washed clothes, washed the dishes, cooked, and cleaned the kitchen. Shortly after midnight I finally was able to slow down. Well let’s be real, my body “gave out.” Every part of my body ached and I couldn’t do anything else if I tried.

This morning I woke early to hearing my mom have difficulties breathing. It did not sound labored but you could tell the congestion didn’t make things better. So I thought about what you do with babies when they are congested, rub Vick’s on their chest and turn up the humidifier. It worked for a little while but then it’s like the devil said nope and it was back to her being uncomfortable.

I reached back out to the nurse and she again told if she couldn’t breathe than call 911 and reach out to the doctor. I called the physician on call, no answer. I called the nurse on call, no answer. I got so tired and was about to panic so I went to my prayer closet and cried out to GOD- I got an answer!

I wiped my tears and prayed and asked God for help. When I got back in my moms room I told her to put more Vick’s on her chest and try her nose as well. When I was filling the water up in the humidifier 4 songs came on the radio that brought much needed peace. Though I can’t recall all 4 songs I know Tasha Cobbs “You Know My Name”, Anthony Brown and Group “Miracles”, and Leandria Johnson “All In His Plan” were 3 of the songs.

As tears rolled down my moms eyes as she prayed, I was praying very hard. I knew something had to give or I would have to call 911. I told my mom I would take her to the emergency room, she said she didn’t want to go so I sat and looked her. As I looked at her I felt a warm sensation come over me and I heard a voice say to suction her one more time.

I listened to the voice (the Holy Spirit) and I suctioned her. More mucus came up with the help of the saline. So I tried to put the inner cannula back in. It wouldn’t go all the way in so I pulled it out- a mucus plug was attached to the trachea. I could hear it clearing up so I repeated the cycle 3 times- FINALLY SHE HAD RELIEF!!!!

You talk about an answer to prayer! She thanked me for believing her and not thinking she was just trying to get attention. I admitted to her I was frustrated and I had to go cry. I wasn’t crying because I was tired- I was crying because I was scared. I couldn’t tell her I was scared because I didn’t want her to panic. But I told God. He calmed my fear. I didn’t know what to do so I did what I do best- I trusted God to guide me.

Looking back it is funny how me caring for my mom like I used to care for my kids when they were little worked. It was a labor of love. All my exhaustion, all my sorrow, all my frustration turned into pure joy and admiration. I no longer wanted to lie down, instead I picked up my Bible to feed my soul. I spent sweet time with the Lord and started my work day and cooked breakfast and went about my day.

My mom by this time had went to sleep and I was so happy. I checked on her several times to make sure she was ok. She woke up a few hours later to use the restroom. She asked if I had rested and I told her no I had to cook breakfast, get to work, and read the Word.

Today I want you to look past the difficult moments and focus on how seeking God for guidance got me out of a sticky situation. Had I not consulted with God- I could have been writing a totally different message.

Lord I surrender all to thee!

I believe in God’s promises and I never doubted that He would see us through this. While some say “well if it were me I would have called 911.” I didn’t because God didn’t place it on my heart and He didn’t create a loser in Whitnee’. Every time I wanted to throw in the towel or come close to it, God delivered me!

He will do the same for you! God’s promises that He will act on those who wait on Him.

I thank God for answering our prayers. Read Psalm 28: Rejoicing in Answered Prayer.

I am rejoicing and I find peace in His word. When you make choices based on God’s guidance you will never go wrong! Again I know the course of action may not be favorable for some reading this but MY HELP has given me peace.

Shortly after the nurse and the on call physician called me. Although the situation had been handled I had to explain from start to finish what happened. By the grace of God they said I did everything right. Not Whitnee’ but God. He used me to help my mom. I’m a caring person by trade and “caregiver” by night. Who knew?

If you are faced with adversity, hard times, or unfavorable circumstances- TRUST GOD! He is the giver of our salvation! He will bless you right now!

Thank you God for sustaining me. In need of assistance and the lines of the doctors and nurses are busy. If you don’t feel like it is life threatening but you still need help call GOD on the hotline. God is calling- will you answer?