Two weeks ago, I took the day off of work to renew my passport and get started on my long list of vaccines needed for the World Race. I had also been planning to pick my Mom up from the airport that afternoon after her long flight in from the US. Little did I know, though, that one of my four shots, the Yellow Fever vaccine, would send me spiraling into fits of wheezing, dizziness, swelling, and ultimately, on a trip to the Emergency Room.
As I was trying to explain to the emergency room doctor between gasps what I thought had caused the wheezing episode ("No, I'm not allergic to eggs. Yes, I had a series of shots this morning. No, I'm not allergic to eggs. Am I repeating myself in my delirium?"), the sudden realization that I wasn't going to be able to meet my Mom at the airport filled me with dread. I had no way to get in touch with her… She was expecting to find me waiting for her at Starbucks. What would she do when I didn't show up? Worse, what would she do when she realized that I was in the emergency room?
Fortunately, prayer communication isn't hindered even in the midst of labored breathing, and after sending up a cry for help, I have no doubt that God brought the next image to my mind: Three years ago, when I first arrived in Beijing, a sneeze on my bus ride to school ended up throwing my back out and sending me on my first visit to the emergency room. Images of my school's assistant principal sitting next to me, reassuring me in the midst of excruciating back pain, suddenly popped into my head. I knew it was God's direction, and that Chris would be the one who would be able to help me get my Mom.
Sure enough, amidst gasps and gulps, I managed to communicate that my Mom was expecting me, but that I was in the emergency room and couldn't go get her. Within a few minutes, Chris had sent someone to pick my Mom up, with a sign that explained to her why I wasn't there (I can't imagine being in my Mom's shoes and reading that note!).
Meanwhile, my Mom had arrived and was starting to get worried because I hadn't arrived at our meeting point yet. I have no doubt that the next notion that popped into her head was from God. She turned her US cellphone on, which promptly greeted her with "Welcome to China" and a sudden notion to try to send me a text message .
At this point, I had (finally) been given a shot of adrenaline and an IV-drip of Solu-Medrol, and my breathing had returned to normal (Praise God!). My reflection, which had been altogether terrifying when I first arrived at the hospital (fluorescent red is not a color I care to see on my face again), had returned to normal. The swellign in my cheeks had finally subsided, and the rash that had covered my back was apparently gone, too.
When my phone chirped with a message from my Mom, I quickly grabbed my phone and called her. Seconds later, just the sheer joy of hearing her voice and knowing that everything was going to be okay sent a flood of gratitude and relief through my now-healing body. I knew the Lord had yet again come through by providing us both with surprising ideas that ended up directing us to the right solution.
Half an hour later, my Mom arrived at the hospital, toting her suitcases behind her and probably confusing the nurses, who thought she was apparently moving in. Two hours later, after the doctor final approved my release, my Mom and I were on our way home, and I was feeling almost as good as new.
You know the best thing I discovered in all of this? God's divine providence also comes with a sense of humor. The day my Mom arrived, I hadn't had hot water in my apartment for 6 days, which meant that my poor Mom would have had to take a cold shower after her long flight ordeal. But God has a way of blessing (okay, downright spoiling) His children, and my Mom was able to take a hot shower after all… at the hospital… which wouldn't have happened had I not had an allergic reaction to the Yellow Fever shot. It's funny how so many good things can come out of something not-so-fun.
Random side note – last week, I went back to the hospital for my second set of shots, one of the patient care specialists started talking with me about my upcoming trip on the World Race. She then started rummaging through one of her shelves and handed me, not one but, TWO mini first aid kits. I was so surprised and yet so blessed. I love how God provides for our needs, great and small!
All that to say, I was reminded yet again about the sweetness of God's provision… "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8). "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny. Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of the Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
I can't wait to see how God will provide in the coming year! I serve a BIG God!
