My husband, Don, had neck pain and stiffness that got worse instead of better. The stiffness had begun before he tested positive for Covid several months ago, so we called an advice nurse to see if he could get some relief. When the nurse heard neck stiffness and swollen glands, he directed us to go to an Urgent Care as soon as possible, i.e. that day!

Time was of the essence. With the nurse’s urgency, the first thing that popped into my mind was meningitis.

At Urgent Care, the doctor literally would not touch Don. He said they didn’t have the correct equipment to rule out meningitis (there was that awful word!) and if Don had that, his infection would be active. He sent us to the Emergency Room.

Because of the increase in Covid cases, I couldn’t even go into the waiting area with Don. So he went inside and I stayed outside. I called my brother, Melvyn, who told me he didn’t think meningitis would be that long-standing before needing to be diagnosed. Friends Karen and Jerry prayed. I found a folding chair outside the ER and prayed, then turned to the Bible app on my phone. I began reading some of the Psalms (always good for times of trial).

I sat in the sun’s warmth for about an hour, asking God to give both Don and me his peace. And as I read the scripture, God did just that. The message that stayed with me was this.

Then Don called to say they were going to do a CT of his head, blood tests, etc. and I should go home. It would be several hours before he was finished.

I came home to feed Paigey. When Don called later, I knew by the timbre of his voice that it was good news! The CT scan showed his Covid, and the physician said the stiff neck was still an effect of his infection, which impacts people in different ways. Paige and I jumped into the car and drove to the ER. I was already uplifted in heart, and when Don came out of the emergency room, we rejoiced together!

What a joy when a potential threat is eliminated. Yes, severe illness and/or death will happen to all of us at one time or another. As my mother-in-law used to say, we don’t get out of this life any other way! But this was not that time for us. Our love deepened as we faced the possibility of a very serious illness, and we delighted in and praised God all weekend.

The answer isn’t always one we desire. My first husband and Don’s first wife, both passed away. And we each had to wait on the Lord then, trusting that his plan for us was not finished. We have friends dealing with significant issues…Alzheimers, family members caught in Ukraine’s turmoil, challenges within the family. We lost my sister-in-law to death a number of months ago, our neighbor a week ago. Other family members fight cancer. Life is not easy–but God never promised us ease. He promised us his presence.

You, too, may face severe illness, family disagreements, job loss, or even the prospect of death. My heart goes out to you, and I pray God’s peace be with you as you wait on him.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33