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Whenever I think back to the mid-2000s—I believe it was around 2004 or 2005—I am reminded of Psalm 138:7. It says, *"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me. You will stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies and your right hand will save me."* That verse isn't just poetry to me; it is a lived reality.
Back then, I had been invited to be a speaker at a homeschool convention all the way down in Arizona. Money was tight, as it often was, but that just gave us another opportunity to trust the Lord. Since we couldn't afford plane tickets, my husband and I packed up our Volkswagen with our bags and high hopes. He was so excited to go with me, and despite the long trek ahead, we set off on the road.
We hadn’t even made it out of Oregon before things took a turn. By the time we hit Medford, I was in such agonizing pain I could hardly stand it. I remember stopping at a drugstore, desperate for anything that might help, just trying to find some water to wash down whatever medicine I could find. We didn’t have cell phones back then—or at least we didn't—so I remember finding a payphone to call friends, pleading with them, "Please, just pray for me."
We pushed on, driving hard for long hours. All that sitting was so difficult, but I tried to focus on the kindness of the people we met along the way. Eventually, we found a budget-friendly motel in Redding, California. That night was a blur of fever, cold sweats, and fervent prayer. I lay there in that dark room crying out, "God, please, you’ve got to heal me." Finally, I had to wake my husband. I told him, "I have to go to the emergency room."
He wasn't thrilled about the detour, but he took me. We ended up at what I believe was a Catholic hospital. It was a confusing, stressful night; at one point, there was a misunderstanding where the staff thought I was refusing treatment or trying to leave against medical advice, but the truth was I was so weak I was practically being wheeled out of there.
I remember my mom had once said something about the healing properties of cantaloupe. It’s funny the things that stay with you. I asked my husband to go buy some, and he did. I ate a little bit of it, trying to regain some strength, and then he asked if I wanted to go for a walk.
Now, I had just been released from the hospital, but I always wanted to please him. We ended up at the edge of this incredibly steep cliff that led down to a beach. We climbed down that treacherous terrain and walked about a mile along the shore. I think he was a little scared himself, and eventually, I had to stop and say, "You know, I was *just* in the hospital."
When we realized we had to get back up, the reality of my weakness set in. He realized he couldn't carry me back up that cliff, so we had to find a different way back. It sounds awful—and truly, it was a mess—but I remember him making a comment about how the kids would "kill him" if anything happened to me. He was always worried about that.
We finally made it back to the car. I was heartbroken because I knew I couldn't make it to Arizona. I had to cancel my speaking engagement. My husband was upset, asking, "You’re going to leave me here in a motel?" but I knew I couldn't let him drive on alone, and I certainly couldn't continue.
As we turned the car around and headed home, I stared out at the road and felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I was alive. It was a messy, imperfect trip, but I felt God’s hand on me.
When we finally got home, I spoke with Pastor Don, who was over the children’s ministry at the time. He looked at me and said, "Nancy, the kids really did pray for you. They really did."
I told him I knew it. I felt it. I felt God touch me in that motel room and on that beach. This story might be one of those "messy" ones you’d think to leave out of a highlight reel, but it’s my story. It reminds me of a friend, a pastor in New York City, who once told me her own trial and simply concluded, "And the Lord fulfilled that."
He fulfills His promises to me, too. Even in the midst of trouble, His right hand saves me. He is so faithful to provide protection and care, even when the road takes a detour we never expected.
