Growing up, I was taught you should not call anyone after 9pm unless it is an emergency. I still try to follow this rule.

At 9:57pm tonight, my phone rang… not a good sign. Caller ID said it was my parents’ house. As I answered, I heard a very bad impression of my mom on the other end of the line. She was short of breath, scared and alone at home. Dad was at the church for an event. She said someone needed to come quick.

I threw on my clothes and headed out the door with my shoes in my hand as Jennifer called 911. I had been wanting to try out the cool, car chase manuever. So, I took this as an opportunity to throw the Expedition in reverse, race out into the cul-de-sac, slam on the brakes while cutting the steering wheel. As the truck spun around, I popped it in drive and floored the gas to make a very impressive spin out of the neighborhood.

When I got to mom’s house, she was not good. Heart racing… Arm numb… Dizzy… Blurred vision… Short breath… Pale… Hurting… Very high blood pressure. When the paramedics arrived, her blood pressure was 208/116. I’m pretty sure that’s not good. So, we headed out to the emergency room.

The short version is that she was discharged several hours later with possible vertigo and hypertension…

But, what would have happened if I had let fear grip me? It looked very sketchy for a while there. Would I have been any help to my mom? In times of crisis, our actions and emotions tell the story of our faith (or lack of it).

When crisis, tragedy or hardship happens, how do you react? Before you take that next late night call that could bring bad news, settle in your heart that God is in control. Determine in yourself that you will act with that in mind. Because the call will come.

Tonight, God was faithful again and we are all back home safe. Mom is resting. Since it is 2:40am now, I am about to go to bed so I can get up in a few hours to hang out with the family.

God, thank you for being… well, You.