When The Unexpected Happens
Our family had a great summer… lazy days… trips swimming, kayaking, biking, etc… and we highly anticipated a trip to Colorado for our family trip. We had it all mapped out; spend a few days with my brother and his family (grab a soccer game), then a few days in the mountains exploring, mountain biking and renting a boat on a lake; finally topping off our trip by staying the night with our good friends in Denver (with plans to take in the town) before we headed back home.
And suddenly, my husband (who is hardly ever sick) was down for the count. And when I say down, I mean- lying on the mattress in my brother’s basement for days, and sporadically running for the bathroom. By the third day, he rolled over and whispered to me, “I think I need to go to the hospital.” That was scary for me, as he hates even going to the doctor for a sinus infection.
Two days later, and a night in the hospital, we still didn’t have answers. (And even two months later, we still don’t.) His body just crashed and couldn’t recover. He still is not even back to 80% of his normal energy level and strength. And this all happened before we were given access to Thrive’s new building. Within two weeks of his hospitalization, we were on full-force at the overhaul of the new building. And I watched, as he tried to help… but he couldn’t. He had to rely on the help of his congregation to do most of the heavy duty stuff. It killed him.
As he gained some strength and energy back, he began to rip some old musty carpet out of the foyer. The next day, he collapsed at the building, all alone… and he called me in a panic. My heart was in my throat. He told me to call his doctor and set up another appointment. I was seconds away from waking napping babies and speeding all the way to the building to check on him- but he assured me he was alright. He had collapsed in the bathroom there and laid there quite some time. Suddenly, the maintenance man dropped in unexpectedly to check on the air conditioner and found him. He got Michael some water and helped him up to his feet. Thank God for that man.
Our church has had to pull together while Michael recuperates. I was blown away by all of the generosity and love that the people of Thrive poured out on us. It literally has brought me to tears several times. Men and women (not to forget the teenagers!) stepped up where gaps appeared. And our church family grew closer, tighter… together in the time of adversity.
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”