Guest Post by Mary Ann Featherston

I knew today was going to be difficult. I had a hard time sleeping last night because I kept thinking about the what-ifs. What if Momma runs out of oxygen before we reach our destination? What if she passes out from lack of air? What if I throw my back out while helping her in and out of the car? What if there is no wheelchair available? I did pray the Lord would help me with the challenge.

Momma lives 80 miles from me, so I left early to give us plenty of time to make her doctor’s appointment on time. Upon arrival at her house, I checked her oxygen tank to make sure she had enough oxygen for the trip and back. Then we ventured to the doctor’s office, which is 30 miles away.

During the trip to the doctor’s office, Momma talked about her grandkids and family. We laughed about funny things the kids used to do and about the Sunday dinners we had. In no time, we reached our destination.

I parked at the front entrance of the office complex, went inside, and grabbed a wheelchair. Momma waited patiently as I checked the oxygen tank, unbuckled her seatbelt, helped her out of the car, and carefully tucked a throw around her. I shivered when a chilly November breeze seemed to pass through my bones as we exited the car. I wheeled Momma inside away from the entrance and then returned to park my car.

We checked in at registration and then headed to the lab where we waited a full 15 minutes before being called back for lab work. We barely had time to stop by the ladies’ room before heading up to the second floor.

A few minutes later, a nurse checked Momma’s vitals, and then the doctor came in.

It was noon when we left the office, so we drove to Momma’s favorite burger restaurant and ate on our trip back to her home.

On this beautiful, sunny November day, everything went well. None of the things I’d worried about happened. I wasted time and lost sleep thinking about the what-ifs instead of trusting God in the here-and-now.

Every day I spend with my sweet 84-year-old momma is a gift. I had prayed that the Lord would be with us. God was faithful and answered my prayer. And He will answer yours.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23, NIV

Mary Ann Featherston is a published author of Simply Recipes, Simply Desserts, and Between Sisters, an inspirational gift book for sisters, girlfriends, and mothers. Mary Ann and her husband, Jerry, reside in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Together they have two children and three grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys writing children’s stories and other short stories, traveling, cooking, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Tracy Crump dispenses hope in her award-winning book, Health, Healing, and Wholeness: Devotions of Hope in the Midst of Illness (CrossLink Publishing, 2021). A former intensive care nurse, she cared for her parents and her mother-in-law and understands both the burdens and joys of caregiving. Her devotions have been featured in Guideposts books, The Upper Room, and many other publications, and she has contributed 22 stories to Chicken Soup for the Soul® books. She also conducts writing workshops, freelance edits, and proofreads for Farmers’ Almanac. But her most important job is Grandma to five completely unspoiled grandchildren.