Dear Lady in the E.R.

Mar 18

Dear Lady in the E.R.,

 

I owe you an apology.  I passed you over.  When I walked into the emergency room last night, I was consumed with myself.  Why did I have to come? Is this going to be a waste of time?  Why couldn’t I catch my breath?  I saw you sitting in that chair closest to the check-in station with your head down.  At first, I thought perhaps you were in line to check-in and wondered if you would think I was taking your place.  I glanced back at you several times trying to evaluate whether or not you were there to be seen or were there with someone. 

 

You may remember when I caught your eye.  I saw your tears, and judging from the streaks down your face, they weren’t your first.  I know you were trying to hide yourself from the rest of the waiting room – your hat was pulled low and your arms were drawn in tight.  But I saw you.  I knew you were in pain.  And sweet stranger, my God, the Heavenly Father who gave me life spoke to me about you.  Pray with her. I heard it ever so faintly and wondered if I imagined it. 

 

If the words weren’t enough, the heaviness I felt in my chest was – that same chest I was having trouble filling with enough air.  When the check-in station became available, I paused just in case you were in line, but by this time I was sure you were there waiting for a loved one.  I stepped to the window thinking I would pray with you after I was officially in the system.  But before I could sign all the paperwork, my parents arrived. 

 

That’s really no excuse, but I felt bad for dragging them out on a dark foggy night to sit in the E.R. with me.  But I needed them to come because my husband was home with my kids.  Why didn’t I send them to go sit down, so I could squat down beside you?  I should have looked into your streaked eyes and taken your hands.  I wanted to tell you how much you meant to God, and how He knew your pain.  I even thought about sharing with you the story of Joseph – how his brothers threw him in a pit and sold him.  Just when things looked to be at the worst, God turned the situation around.

 

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20 NIV

 

One of my life’s missions is to change the world one person at a time by caring and meeting the needs of those around me.  I’m sorry, because last night, in my own selfishness, I passed you by.  You are still on my mind today.  I’ve prayed for you several times.  I pray the God of all hope and peace brings you comfort today.  I pray you have no need for tears.  I pray if I see you again, I will be bold.  I will be an ambassador for Christ.

 

You may never read my words, but I needed you to know how I felt.  Again, I ask your pardon.  May the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

 

Sincerely,

The newly pregnant girl who couldn’t breathe well last night and was sent to the E.R. only to find out everything was A.Okay.   

 

You Might Also Like

  • Jenn Mar 18 at 2:13 am

    Aww, I know how it feels to lose those opportunites we may never have again. I pray God uses this blog in a mighty way even if you missed that oppt’y-He knows her needs and accepts your apologies:) Be blessed and know “she” will be to b/c the spirit intercedes for us-Thank the Lord! And, congratulations on your new lil’ life!

  • MelanieNewYork Mar 18 at 2:30 am

    Saying a little prayer for her, too.

    I am so glad you are OK!

  • Anonymous Mar 18 at 2:34 am

    I'm glad to hear that the sweet pregnant woman was alright but even more pleased to see how God touched her heart with such deep compassion enough that you prayed and even wrote about your conviction. May each person who reads this be inspired to do the same…to notice those who need a touch from Jesus! I love you Carol…and I'm so thankful that I have the privilege to call you friend and join with you to pray for this stranger that was not a stranger to God at all..He did see her pain, her heart and more importantly YOURS! He was ministering. And the effective prayers of a fervent heart avails much…a little paraphrased by me from James 5:16

    By writing this open confession, God will keep you accountable to that beautiful Life mission:
    "to change the world one person at a time by caring and meeting the needs of those around me." I do believe that you would have moved in the spirit, if you were breathing well & the breathe of God was flowing through you….perhaps your look to this individual spoke what you wanted to say…God loves you! Since I'm not blogging officially, this counts as my comment…you can copy & paste there if you'd like.

    I love you, Carol! Take care of yourself and remain in Him & He in you…A OK!!!

    In Christ's love…another sheep learning to follow the Shepherd & hear His Voice!
    Peggy

  • Beth in NC Mar 18 at 10:45 am

    I’m thankful you are fine and I know how it feels to miss an opportunity like that.

  • Denise @ Sunflowers, Chocolate and Little Boys Mar 18 at 10:51 am

    I think we all have those missed opportunities. I will be praying for her and for you and your little one. God Bless!

  • ocean mommy Mar 18 at 5:12 pm

    Praying for this sweet lady and for you. Hope you are feeling better today!

  • Cheri Mar 18 at 6:15 pm

    As I read this all I could think was “we are so much alike.” You have such a beautiful heart Carol.

    Love ya and I am so glad everything is well!

  • Runner Mom Mar 18 at 6:35 pm

    I am glad that you are OK, chickadee. I know what you mean about those lost opportunites!It can be so frustrating. But, our God will give you others. Just keep praying for her as will I!

    Hugs,
    Susan

  • Xandra@Heart-of-Service Mar 19 at 12:44 am

    I’m glad everything is ok with you, but I’m even more glad that you are convicted over this missed opportunity. I know that I grow best when I’ve fallen short, and am more vigilant so that it doesn’t happen again. Your writing creates such pictures in my head…

    Xandra

  • Kimberly Mar 19 at 3:12 am

    I had one of those recently. I was supposed to give a lady in a car some flowers I had just purchased for a friend. And I kept hesitating and then it was too late. Oh, that He would fill me with boldness and a heart to obey Him no matter how goofy I may feel.

    I love you, and I am sooooo glad you are okay! And know this…you may not have prayed for her in person…but girl, your prayers for her are still powerful and still heard by a mighty God who does mighty and awesome things when we pray. Who knows…maybe because of your prayers you will see her someday…somewhere heavenly. 🙂

  • JnL4God Mar 19 at 11:13 am

    I feel your pain, yet it is comforting to know I’m not the only one that misses them. And I do know it makes you bolder and more eager to respond the next time.
    My husband and I were checking out at a store and I greeted the cashier and asked how she was, she said not very good. I asked if she didn’t feel well, she stated she had a headache and felt numb. I asked if I could pray for her she looked at me and shrugged and said “yeah I guess”, so as she was bagging and ringing up my stuff, softly I prayed for her. I don’t normally do that at all – it was so awesome. After we got in the car my husband was like wow, and me too, I continued to hold her up in prayer for several days and even now when she comes to mind I do. I’m sure what was going on with her but she had such a hopeless look about her. I wanted to give her the hope and faith she can have with Jesus.
    Congrats on a new one in you life.

    Thanks for your post it is encouraging.
    Lynn

  • Barbara Mar 20 at 1:48 am

    First, I am very glad that you are fine..it must have been unnerving. Second I too know how you feel about missed opportunity. I can remember going thru a time when I was praying for God to use me to pray with others and one day as I was leaving the hospital from visiting a friend I had prayed with, a young woman was sitting in the wheelchair doubled over in the lobby area where I was exiting. I stopped to ask her if she was ok as there was not a nurse in sight. She looked at me and said know and would I pray for her……..talk about an open door…an opportunity placed in response to my prayer. I patted her hands and told her I would pray for her and walked out the door. By the time I got to my cars I was sobbing because I realized what had happened and I was unprepared. I prayed for her for days…but the lesson I learned has never left me.

    But don’t be hard on yourself, after all you were not only taking care of yourself but making sure that little life that God has placed with you is okay too…God will answer your prayers for whether she is with you when you pray or not.

    Thanks for sharing something so heartfelt.

  • 2nd Cup of Coffee Mar 25 at 5:38 pm

    Thanks for sharing, Carol. Just las night at a Bible study, we talked about this kind of scenario. This will help others to feel not so alone.

  • Lelia Chealey Mar 25 at 5:51 pm

    OH this is so sweet Carol! Maybe God will let her know these words through someone else.
    Kelley told me you’re pregnant!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS! You have a blessing in your belly! Doesn’t it just take you to your knees when you think that right now at this moment God is at work..forming and shaping your little one? That is so cool! Embrace this sweet season in your life.
    love ya,
    Lelia

  • %d bloggers like this: