Wanted: The Wasp - Dead or Alive

(but dead would be better) by Bonnie Tschetter
“Don’t be surprised by the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange was happening to you.”      I Peter 4:12

September 23, 2020, I was lying in a hospital with a large gaping wound on the bottom half of my right leg, having just had surgery for an infection. The incision extended from my knee to my ankle and was several inches wide and horrible to look at. I remember thinking, “Lord I know You are with me but I just don’t feel it. It seems like You are sitting in that chair over there and I am here. Why can’t I feel Your presence?” And then it dawned on me - why wasn’t I fearful? Why was my heart at peace? Wasn’t it because of the Lord’s presence and outpouring of lovingkindness, His mercies promised at times just like this?

Almost two months earlier I had dropped off my grandkids after a fun morning. As I was backing out of the driveway, I saw a large (or small) wasp flying around in the back seat. Panicking, I tried rolling down windows but to no avail. So I decided to get out of the car, forgetting to put it into park. Realizing what I had done, I tried jumping back in but the rolling car door knocked me flat and I hit my head hard on the concrete. “That was a really dumb idea” I thought as the car rolled over my leg. I sat up and watched the car roll down the driveway, across the street, and stop halfway up the curb on the other side. I felt an urgency to get up. “Good - I can stand.” And then hobbled across the street. As I approached the car door, the wasp flew out.

X-rays revealed no broken bones but a significant crush to the soft tissue in my calf. My ribs were sore but not broken. And my head didn’t even hurt, not even a bump. Lots of bed rest and elevation and I thought I was getting better, but two months later I ended up in Baptist hospital with a significant acute infection in my leg, requiring surgery and an 8 day hospital stay. I realized all this time from the moment my head hit the ground to that very moment in the hospital, I had felt nothing but peace. I had panicked over a wasp, but a potentially life ending/changing accident - Peace? Calm? Why?

There is no human explanation - it had to be the supernatural presence of God in my life promised to us in times just like this. I began making mental notes, which would now fill a book, of so many things I was grateful for related to this accident. And God’s presence was all over it. No ‘what ifs’ or ‘why me’s’ or regrets. Just God.  I wore a wound vac for another two months but landed back in the hospital with another infection. A skin graft, another hospital stay and by Christmas I felt well enough to have our family over - FINALLY!

I am healing and slowly getting my strength back. And I am still thankful. My leg is very ugly. I will never be able to wear shorts or skinny jeans. Other problems may arise at some point or not. But the scar, a friend reminded me, is a beautiful reminder of God’s love and mercy and presence. Just like He always promises. I have seen and felt the presence of God, and I would not exchange that for anything in this world.

Thank you, dear saints of CCC, for your faithful prayers, love and concern and for the many ways you carried us through this time. Carlon and I love you so very much!

P.S. My husband is an excellent nurse as well as expositor of the Word.

P.S.S. He has a PowerPoint of pictures (that I still cannot look at!) showing the devolution of my leg! We are truly “fearfully and wonderfully made!

Lessons I Learned or Was Reminded of!

1.  Nothing in our lives happens by chance. Even “accidents” are ordained by God to conform us to the image of His Son and to use as a platform for His glory and light to shine.

2.  I never even knew there was a burn/wound floor at Baptist Hospital! I have the greatest respect for the nurses and doctors who have to inflict so much pain in order for their patients to heal. (It was brutal)

3.  I honestly believe that the depths of God’s love, His tender mercies cannot be felt apart from suffering. He meets us there in the most intimate way and I can say with all of my heart - His grace is sufficient!

4.  I am very thankful for the love and promises of God. Would I want to go through such an ordeal again? Absolutely NOT! But what He says - He will do. And as suffering is part of this life and something the Lord tells us we all will face, we can rest in the fact that He’s got this - and us - and He will see us through! Amen & Amen!!

Lamentations 3:21-25
But this I call to mind; therefore I have hope: the Lord’s loyal kindness never ceases. His compassions never end. They are fresh every morning; Your faithfulness is abundant! My portion is the Lord, I have said to myself, so I will put my hope in Him. The Lord is good to those who trust in Him, to the one who seeks Him.