Continued from  “Jesus, Please Help My Mommy” published 10/17/11…

Joshua bravely called 9-1-1 and was remarkably articulate, sensible and calm, though inside he was shaken as his mommy lay on the floor clinging to carpet fibers. “My name is Joshua Sloan, I am 11 years old. Something is wrong with my mom. We need an ambulance right away.” He gave the 9-1-1 representative our address and phone number. After answering a few questions and being given instructions, he hung up assured that the ambulance would arrive very soon.

Joshua asked Gabrielle to put our dog, Holly, in her crate and open the front door, just at the 9-1-1 representative instructed.  Pausing momentarily from her prayer vigil next to me, she ran downstairs and did what Joshua asked her to do.  They worked and moved instinctively together in the midst of crisis.  Pure sibling teamwork driven by love and selflessness.

Joshua’s leadership and courage gave me great peace.  God was giving him the strength and clarity to lovingly take command in this frightening situation.

Covering me tenderly with two blankets from his bed, Joshua sat down next to me and held my hand. With tears he said, “I love you, Mom. You’re the best mom. You are going to be OK, right?” His eyes begged me to reassure him.

Looking firmly back into Joshua’s eyes, and praying in my heart to God, I comforted his heart and said I thought I was going to be fine. But truthfully not knowing at that point if I would be OK because of the flash of horrific pain that went through my head and the vertigo that was thrashing my still body, I said to both of the children, “Just walk with Jesus. Walk in His truth. Just walk with Jesus. That’s all I want you to do in your lives. Whatever happens, follow Jesus. He is faithful.”

Their promises to me in those moments of unsureness are stitched in my heart forever.  “We will, Mommy. We will walk with Jesus.” 

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the Truth.  3 John 1:4

“Jesus, please help my Mommy. Jesus, please help my Mommy.”  My sweet lil’ prayer warrior, Gabrielle, continued going boldly to the throne of grace on my behalf.

Feeling as though all hydration had suddenly evaporated from my body, I asked Joshua for a glass of water as we waited for the ambulance to arrive.  “Mommy, I know I am supposed to obey you, and I want to.  But the 9-1-1 person told me not to give you anything to eat or drink, so right now I am going to obey them.”

More thankful tears swelled from my eyes.  He was doing the right thing…because of love.  Sometimes love says “no”.  Joshua’s love for me manifested in his tender care for me overwhelmed me with gratitude in the midst of the unknown.  God created this child, and I felt perfectly safe knowing that he would do whatever needed to be done to help me.  No mother wishes their children to be in the reversed role of caring for them, even for a short time.  But God gave me a wonderful blessing that night that will warmly linger in my heart forever:  Joshua’s courage and Gabrielle’s prayers were His tangible everlasting arms embracing me securely for those moments of startling fear.

I know for sure that God ushered help safely to me that evening through Gabrielle’s bold and brave prayers and by Joshua’s courageous and careful responses.  Though what I experienced that night was awful, the blessing of seeing Joshua bravely take charge and hearing Gabrielle cover me in prayer was the beautiful silver lining to a temporary and threatening dark cloud.  They each tenderly cared for me in their God-given ways.  Just as they live out their faith in God differently as individuals daily, it was amazing to see my children working together fluidly as members of His body just as He created them.

Click here for part 3 of this testimony called “I Told The EMTs How Much I Weigh!”…