Over the last month, my family has been walking through a valley of life. My husband started experiencing chest pain right after the New Year. After an unsuccessful trip to his primary care physician, we ended up in the ER over that weekend. His symptoms were worsening and we couldn’t wait until the following Monday to see his doctor again. Thankfully, all the tests involving his heart came back normal. No signs of blockages or anything serious. Still the pain remains.
Father, are You there?
In the course of waiting to follow up with his doctor, my husband began having panic attacks. I knew something was really wrong when he asked to not be left alone. We have the privilege of him working from home a few days a week. Usually I like to get the kids out of the house to give him a quiet place to work. Things were different now. He was asking to come with us, and I knew I needed to let him know he was welcome to tag along. The extra company was loved, of course. Daddy with us equals better behavior from the kids, right? However, I worried.
Father, are You there?
When unexplained pain enters your life, you immediately go into “what if” mode. This is exactly what happened to us. Although the discussions are tearful, scary, and kind of morbid, the peace that follows is reassuring. My husband and I took the time to have these talks and the comfort we experienced afterward was heaven-sent.
Hello, Father.
My husband took it upon himself to be more diligent about family Bible and prayer time. This sparked deep conversations with our seven-year-old son. He is always eager to learn about Jesus. The talks that followed over the next few weeks will not be soon forgotten. He started watching a show on Netflix called “Travel The Road” with my husband. The documentary type program is about two missionaries who leave their home in America and travel to distant places with one simple mission: to preach the Gospel. After seeing just a few episodes, my son says, “Daddy, can we pray about becoming missionaries together? You and me?”
Hello, Father.
After another trip to the doctor, he was diagnosed with heartburn. He began a treatment that has yet to give relief. We are looking into more tests with a specialist and the intense pain continues. It’s been four weeks since the pain started. He’s lost five pounds in attempts to change his diet in order to feel better. Everything he eats seems to cause additional discomfort.
Father, are You there?
I read an interactive story with my four-year-old daughter the other day. It was about Martin Luther King, Jr. The story gave a few simple facts about the reverend and then asked how the child could be like him. One fact was “Dr. King was a peaceful man? How can you be peaceful?” On her own, my daughter answered, “I can share my toys.” Imagine my delight. I continued to see if there was further enlightenment from my preschooler. “Dr. King was a brave man. How can you be brave?” Her response, “I can tell my friends that God’s perfect love makes everything scary go away.”
Hello, Father.
My husband taught those very words to our daughter at bedtime because she was scared of bad dreams. She says them every night now. God is here. He is making Himself known through this valley of physical pain. He is reassuring us of His faithfulness each day through the precious moments with our children.
I hope you can sense His presence during the valleys of your life. It’s okay to ask Him if He’s still there. When He reminds you of His faithfulness, be sure to say, “Hello.”
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About Hope Wingate
My name is Hope Wingate. I live in Hoschton, GA with my brilliant husband, Jonathan and two incredible children: Aaron who is 7 and Adaira who is 4. I am a very enthusiastic stay-at-home mom and homeschooler. My heart beats for encouraging young mothers and I enjoy lead teaching classes for my local homeschool co-op. In my spare time I enjoy: sewing, rubber stamping, reading and watching BBC shows on Netflix.
