Sunday Morning, ...

I awoke at 7:00am with chest pains. It felt like I had a weight on my chest, breathing was laboured and shallow. Jannie woke up from my groans. She listened to my heart and said that it was racing. We headed to the hospital, which is 25 minutes away.

My blood pressure had dropped very low, I was having some vision problems by the time I sat in the car. Jannie would have made a NASCAR pro smile with envy as she piloted the little Saturn car through the curvy mountain roads. Shall we just say, it didn't take 25 minutes to get to the hospital.

Usually, if I show up to the hospital for some stitches, I get directed to sit down and in time, maybe an hour, I get to see a nurse. Today, I staggered into the ER and before I got to the receptionist, she was pointing to me and saying, "You, over here, now!"

My heart was still racing as I collapsed on the bed in "room" 3. I was still suffering physically, but inside, I was praying all the time, and had peace. My heart rate was 190 beats per minute.
The doctor ordered a drug administered in the IV patched into my right arm. In fifteen seconds, my heart resembled a freight train that locked up the brakes. My chest tightened and my breathing became full and deeper. The blood pressure machine automatically took new readings every 5 minutes. With every check, my BP was nearing normal.

The doctor said the condition was not a heart attack. It was something like a back up operating program for my heart rhythm took over. The drug cancelled the adrenaline, and my heart returned to normal.

I arrived home just as church would be starting. Jannie mentioned, "Hey, weren't you supposed to lead the congregational prayer this morning?" Oops! Too late and I was in no shape to attempt a trip back into town. Someone else would have to step up to the plate and take the prayer time.

I took a nap, because I was groggy from the medicine. I woke two hours later to hear Jannie telling me that we were on evacuation alert. A forest fire a mile or two away was threatening our area. If the wind changed, things would get scary in a hurry. So, I got up and we loaded up the two vehicles for a hasty retreat, if it came to it.

While we were packing and trying to get ready for evacuation, concerned friends would stop by to look at the fire. Then they would visit. We had six visitors this afternoon. Eventually, we got things packed. We cancelled the Bible Study for tonight, since the guests probably would have trouble getting through the police block.

It has been a busy day.
Not a proper Sabbath.
In the midst, the Lord of the Sabbath has given us peace.