Gò0dNews for Everyone
Have Hope by Melissa Baskin
I
was enjoying time with my daughters when my husband
get out of the ER in an hour. “It’s my tooth,” said Dad.
came into the room and said, “Come here. I need to talk
“Your tooth!” exclaimed Mom. Apparently, my dad had
to you.” Instantly, I knew something was wrong. “Your
a back tooth that was surrounded by blood clots! The ER
dad is spitting up blood clots, and your mom is taking him
doctor was shocked, too, thinking my dad would need
to the emergency room (ER),” he said. Uncertainty, fear, and
multiple tests. Mom didn’t know whether to laugh or cry;
anxiety gripped me. Because my dad takes blood thinners
she did both.
due to a heart condition, I imagined the worst. But my fear was compounded because this was during the height of the COVID-19 health crisis. Donning masks and gloves, my mom, dad, and I headed to the ER. An ER nurse suited in protective gear met us at the door and took my dad’s vitals and information. Then, the nurse said something that I will never forget. “Say your goodbyes because no one is allowed to go in with the patient.” My parents embraced each other and cried. In that moment, the magnitude of the COVID-19 health crisis hit me like a ton of bricks. The word “goodbye” sounded so final. Like many, I had read stories of people dying alone in hospitals because
As we praised God for my dad’s diagnosis, I couldn’t
family was not allowed to be by their sides. Would this be
help but think about people in hospitals who are alone,
the case for my dad?
scared, and might not get such good news. During this
As my mom and I waited in the car, consumed by fear
time of our “new normal,” please pray for those affected
and worry for my dad, a familiar verse of Scripture calmed
by COVID-19. Pray for the patients, their families, and the
my fear. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid…for
medical teams. It’s important to minister to those in need
the Lord your God is with you; he will never leave you or
and remind them that God will never leave us or forsake
forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
us. In John 16:33, Jesus said we would face trials but that He
We called friends and family to pray and also posted a prayer request via Facebook. Within minutes, over 100
had overcome the world. Even in our time of trial, we can be encouraged that our ultimate hope is in Jesus Christ.
people were praying. The comfort of fellow believers’ prayers and the knowledge that God would never leave us After an hour had passed, my dad called and said he was ready to go home. I was shocked; most people don’t
30 // July 2020
About The Author
gave me hope in a frightening situation.
Melissa Baskin is an assistant professor of Communication Studies at Shorter University, Rome, Georgia.
