You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you. It is easy for you believe a rope to be strong and sound as long as you are merely using it to cord a box. But suppose that you had to hang by that rope over a precipice. Wouldn’t you then first discover how much you really trusted it? … Only a real risk tests the reality of a belief. ~ C.S. Lewis
Real risk and reality rushed at me last night when my cell phone rang at 10:30. It was the kind of call that is the dread of every parent. My daughter called to say that my precious 3-year-old grand-daughter was on the way to the ER: her were lips blue and she was barely breathing.
1200 miles a part, we cried together and prayed together. I think it was just before midnight when I got the call that she was OK. The E.R. doctor said it was the worst case of croup he’d ever seen. The adrenalin shot worked. She stayed overnight, covered with wires, stuck on her small self with smiley faces. The doctor said it was “close”.
We talked on the phone this evening. She said “I love you, Grandma Debbie! I need to go eat my fruit bowl now!” I told her I loved her, but I’m not sure if she heard me. It doesn’t matter. She knows. Life is simple for her. She trusts the ones who love her.
Last night, I trusted the One who loves me and loves the ones I love even more than I do. I didn’t trust in His safety, I trusted in His sufficiency. Would I still be able to say that He’s true to His word, sufficient in grace, if the end result had been different, as it has been for some of you?
I pray that I would because I know, in reality, we are always dangling over a precipice. Every day, we choose which type of rope to pick up before we step off.
Two Minutes of Grace 
Hey Debbie, I am just now reading through some of your past posts on this 2nd blog of yours. I vividly remember having the croup as a little girl and it is SO scary. I am thankful she is doing ok.
There were many nights when my daddy and I would sit over a steaming kettle of water on the stove with a towel over our heads so I could breathe the steam. It always came on with no warning. In my particular case, I had to avoid chocolate, alfafa and antihistamine. I outgrew all of that thankfully.
~Sue
Sue – Sorry, for some reason, I just now saw your comment. My grand daughter had been to the ER the week before but was even worse this time.She also has asthma as do both of her parents, so breathing gets pretty dicey.
How frightened you must have been to still have such vivid memories! Can you have chocolate yet? (I’d get along OK w/o alfalfa but I surely would miss chocolate!)
Thanks for stopping by and for sharing your memories!
~ Debbie
That was scary. I’m so pleased she was Ok. These things really put life into perspective
Peter – Oh so true. Wouldn’t it be something to keep that life perspective without a crisis? Some days i feel a glimpse of it and on others, I’m preoccupied with the mice under the sink.
~ Debbie
Thank you Lord!!
Judi – Yes! and Amen!
~ Debbie
Your are unbelievable, I thanked my God that the girl is OK. You have my prayers that you never get another call like that ever.
Gene – Hey, I love you, do you know that?
~ Debbie
Oh, Debbie! What an awful thing to have to go through. But what a blessing that your daughter has you to pray with. Know that so many of us out here are sending up our prayers for your granddaughter today.
–SueBE
SueBE – No sweeter words could be uttered. Thank you so much.
~ Debbie
oh debbie. so sorry you all had to go through that. so scary. so very very grateful for the outcome. and quote c.s. lewis as often as you like. i love you and will pray right now for continued healing. love you
Gaye – you almost got a midnight call from me, dear friend. My heart ached for J & J Thank you for your continued prayers. She’s on prednisone just through tonight. This was the second ER trip in two weeks – much worse this time than the first time. The especially frightening part was that she felt just fine when she went to bed and couldn’t breathe an hour later – no symptoms, no warning.
I love you, too,
Debbie
So glad she’s alright. I think you would have been strong, also, because you know where your True Strength comes from. Isn’t it wonderful knowing we have that Strength to cling to, especially in these kinds of situations?
Drusilla – It certainly is! I never felt like my faith was in the balance. I do know that there are dear ones who read this blog who have lost children and grand children and I want to be sure that I never come across sounding glib.in light of such unspeakable pain. Life is so fragile here. My heart aches for those whose loss is so immense. Thank you for your kind care.
~ Debbie
What a harrowing night, Debbie! Wow. I’m so glad your granddaughter is all right now. Really making me count my blessings!
Mama Bear Hug,
Ruth
Ruth – Thank you, my NJ friend. Blessing counting is such a good habit. My Mom used to say that’s what she did on nights she couldn’t sleep (and there were many). She had the countenance that reflected that.
You get the Mama Bear thing, don’t you?! Thanks for the hug!
~ Debbie
Love C.S. Lewis as well. SPOT ON man … a spiritual master. m
m –
I try to refrain from quoting C.S Lewis every time since he is by far my favorite spiritual mentor. I think I’m up to 19 or 20 Jack quotes now, He’s also my daughter’s favorite, so it seemed particularly appropriate for this post.:D
~Debbie
WOW … I’m so sorry for your baby granddaughter and i hope she recovers quickly. If she’s ready for her fruit cup … she’s sounding great already!!! Prayer is a good thing.
I don’t think you’d loose your faith. Isn’t it always a questioning venture, with faith and sometimes with God? Priests and Ministers talk about that a lot.
I think your Faith is VERY strong. I know that you are “safe” from the ropes that some of us see in our rearview mirrors when you’re with God. You are devoted. It’s impressive.
I’m praying for that little girl and all us little girls (inside) who enjoy a simple fruitcup today and are alive to keep moving on …
peace, m
m-
Thank you for your kindness and your prayers – you’re in mine as well.
~ Debbie
OH MY! Thank God for your Faith and your Heart AND for your Sweet girls fruit bowl. How is it you can write so beautifully during trying times? Take Care, xx Jen
Jen – That’s really my thought of you. Your eloquence always shines through your pain.
Last night was a long night. My heart was in His hands, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t also in my throat. I think it’s still beating extra hard tonight. I’m incredibly thankful.
One of the wonderful things about working nights is that I have the privilege of continuing the prayer that’s begun in the daytime, while others are asleep.Know that you’re always are being prayed for, sometime between 1-4a.m.!
~ Debbie