All is well.....
Posted: Thursday, December 10, 2009
by Curtis Skaggs
CURTUCY ENTERPTISES, NC.
Being a devoted christian and church goer I often hear parents ask what's the use in forcing their children to attend church if they don't want to go? Some even say that forcing them will only make them resent God. Thirty-five years ago I would've probably agreed.
You see I was forced to attend church three times a week. Twice on Sundays and on Wednesday night. Every night if revival was going on. Most of the time I didn't want to either. I did get saved at a revival when I was 12 and was baptised later on. But, as I got older I decided I had better things to do and "moved on". I never really stopped believing, I just started ignoring God. Which in my opinion is much worse. I might as well say that I was mocking him.
On the morning of December 26, 2005 I arose and helped my wife pack for the Philippines. She had to catch a mid-afternoon flight. She was going home to visit her family for the holidays.After packing I stepped outside to smoke and started having chest pains. Like an idiot I finished my cigarette first, then went back inside. Soon I was experiencing the worst pain in my life. I was sweating profusely and couldn't catch my breath. I told my wife that I thought I was having a Heart Attack so she called my Son-in-Law who drove me to the Hospital. The pain was excruciating.
Walking in to an overly crowded ER Reception Area I told the Receptionist I thought I was having a Heart Attach and they came out and took me back immediately. After hooking up the EKG I remember the concern on the Doctor's face when he told them to make sure the Defibrilator was plugged in. I knew it was serious.
I don't remember exactly what was going on the first time I "went in". I do recall being aware of tremendous pain and then darkness, followed by nothing. No pain, just nothing. Wham! I sat up asking "what was that"? The ER Doctor told me that I needed to relax because I was trying to die on them. The danger hadn't sunk in yet. I spent the next few minutes a little disorientated.
I heard someone say "He's going back in" and again darkness. Then Wham, back out I came. Then it hit me.... I could die.... I was only 42 and I could die.... I was scared! A terrible, terrible fear came over me and I began to shake. What was I going to do??? I wasn't ready!!! But I knew where to turn.
I knew where to turn because my parents had made me go to church when I was young, and because they had made me go to church I knew where to turn!
I began praying. The most passionate, sincere, pouring out of the heart that I had ever done. I don't remember whether I finished or said amen, because soon someone was again saying "He's going back in". This time I heard the Doctor say "Hit him again" and wham. I hadn't completely lost consciousness and let me tell you I do remember that those defibrilaters hurt like the dickens.
After coming back out this time I felt a peace that I had never felt before. All that fear, all that panic, gone. Replaced by a serenity that I can't describe. Did I know I was going to live? No. Did I just give up and accept that I might die? Again no. This was a peace associated with the hand of God. I didn't know if I were going to live or die. What I did know, and still do, is that either way it would be Okay. I knew this beyond a doubt because "all was well with my soul".
Needless to say I survived. But think about this. The right side of my heart went over six hours with no blood going to it at all. They were able to place a stent and open the blockage up. After a few weeks and a couple of tests it was determined that there was no apparent damage to my heart or arteries. God is great!
You parents out there stay strong. Forcing your kids to go to church may not save them now, but it can give them the tools and the knowledge that might save them later on. Never stop praying for them. God bless you all. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
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