It was late afternoon when my phone rang last week, the caller ID displayed a family member’s mobile number. When I answered, it wasn’t their voice…
We all have that dread don’t we…that one day a phone call will bring bad tidings of a traumatic event, sad news or an emergency that has impacted those we love. Especially when we have experienced these type of calls before.
We can even become re traumatized each time we here the sound of the ring tone that alerted us to the traumatic event!
Those life changing calls
It was after midnight six & half years ago when hubby’s mobile phone rang, raising us from our sleep.
It was my stepdaughter with the news that her husband of one year had been killed in a horrific car accident on his way to work.
Six months later it was an afternoon phone call that notified us that my father-in-law had fallen off a ladder, hitting his head on the concrete.
Later that afternoon another phone call urged us to come quickly to say our last goodbyes.
It was an evening phone call from the medical Specialist that told me to get my husband to the local hospital for immediate medical air evacuation to a major hospital six hours away.
For life extending brain surgery because he had a massive cancerous brain tumor.
It was a morning phone call from my youngest daughter telling me that my new granddaughter & her were being urgently transferred by ambulance to the larger more Specialized hospital.
As my new granddaughter had special medical needs that had been missed by the midwife at birth & now our new born was close to death.
What is our reaction to hearing such news?
When I heard another family member’s voice on the phone the other day I braced myself for the news that was coming…the news was not good.
My first reaction was to stop & pray, placing this situation in my heavenly Father’s hands.
Next, notify other family members of the news & to get prayer support from the prayer group.
Then I stopped & sat for awhile with a comforting cup of tea to calmly think through this news & it’s emotional impact for all concerned.
And of course I wanted to travel to be with my loved ones…
But I can’t at the moment…
I can’t travel at the moment not because of CoVid restrictions nor because of border closures, these loved ones live in the same state as I, although a ten hour return road trip away.
I can’t travel at the moment because my own body is letting me down! If you join me here often, you’ll be aware that I live with autoimmune conditions & Fibromyalgia (FM).
Just before receiving this news I had a flare with some symptoms of FM that I haven’t experienced before. So, at the moment, as I write, I’m simply not well enough to make that long road trip.
I can’t tell you how frustrating this is!
But…
In the midst of my frustration at not being able to travel, a friend sent me the following message,
“Praying for the family Jennifer. Be assured that our loving heavenly Father has the situation in hand.”
When I read those words, a wave of God’s peace that passes all understanding instantly washed over me.
For indeed He has the situation in hand, after all I had immediately placed it in His hands & whether I’m physically present or not, He is!
Reminding me of His word…
“Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance & in everything, by prayer & petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
“And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, & so fearing nothing from God & being content…that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison & mount guard over your hearts & minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4: 6 & 7 Refer II
In stressful situations we all need a little reminder to focus upon His promises & not our circumstances…
Don’t we! Especially when it involves our dear loved ones.
And I’m hoping that I will be able to travel & see them when the timing for me to travel is right. In the meantime I rest assured, He is there!
What is your first reaction my friend when you receive that phone call we all dread? For the update click on The last, I love you!
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
© 2020 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog, All Rights Reserved.
Tea With Jennifer on life, love & laughter... 
This is a great post full of reminders. I am so sorry you are again dealing with bad news 😢🤗🙏🏻
I sure hope you are able to travel soon.
And for those of us simply dealing with the life frustrations and stresses, this is also a reminder. God does know what is going on. Although Satan has his grimy little hands griping tightly to this crazy world, God sees and God knows. And God cares. He is here beside us every second of every day. For me, I am trying to remember to pray and trust. But it’s not always easy, is it?
God Bless you dear Jennifer 💙🙏🏻
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Thank you Lisa! No, it’s not always easy but yes He is always with us & that is so very comforting! 🙂
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Oh those phone calls! It matters not how many times, one receives it, it’s always a bit disappointing. I’m praying for you, my friend
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Thank you Brenda.
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Jennifer,
My heart goes out to you and your dear ones. I am crying out to our Lord in prayer for each of you and asking Him to shelter you in His arms.
Peace and grace to you,
Tammy
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Thank you Tammy, so very much appreciated.
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Jennifer, I am so sorry you received bad news and are unable to travel due to your own health. My sweet daughter-in-law received that bad phone call on Tuesday that her dad had fallen from a ladder and was being airlifted to the nearest trauma hospital. He is in critical but stable condition as of now. I have watched her place her trust in God. Only one family member is allowed to visit and it has to be the same one each time. The virus makes every medical situation so much worse. You can’t be with your loved ones.
Your post was definitely timely. You have experienced these calls so many times. Blessings and prayers for you and your loved ones, sweet friend♥️
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Praying for your daughter in law & her Dad Pam. Yes, the visiting limitations in the hospitals are understandable but frustrating when your loved ones are in serious conditions. Thank you for your prayers, bless you too sweet friend ♥
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The first time it happened was 1984. I was at a friend’s for lunch after church. The pastor called and my friend answered, but declined to give me his message. My mother had been trying to find me to let me know my father had just died. They lived about an hour and a half from where I live. I didn’t drive, so had to take a cab home to pick up some clothes and arranged for a cab to pick me up to drive me to my mom’s. My heart was in my throat. The next time I wasn’t home to get the phone call. My pastor was trying to find me, but I was out doing some banking. My mom had been living with me for several years after breaking her hip, and she had been in the hospital for 4 days after falling. I arrived at the hospital to visit her and when I stopped at the desk to ask the nurse something, she asked me to step into a side room. There she told my my mother has died a short time before. I think I was in shock. I had no other family and had never had to deal personally with making arrangements etc. I certainly would not want to experience that again. But thank God for His wonderful peace and strength and guidance. What would we do without it?
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Oh that would have been such unexpected shocks for you. Yes, praise God for His sustaining peace & strength in all situations! And thank you for sharing your experience ♥
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First, I am so sorry to read about the sad phone calls you have received through the years. For me, one of the unexpected phone calls came back in 2002. It was an early August morning and the beginning of a new school year. I had just arrived in my classroom with a full agenda of things I had to do to get ready for open house to be held in two days when we meet and greet our new students for the year and their parents before the first day of school. My cell phone rang and it was my sister crying in a frantic voice telling me to hurry and get to my parents home – she said she thought dad had died. I dropped everything and ran into the hall and told the first person I saw and they hugged me and said to get going. My brother arrived before my sister and I and was thankfully there with my mother. (My brother and his daughter had just had dinner with my parents the night before.) God’s peace settled over us as we began to absorb the shock of his very sudden and unexpected death.
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Oh that is very sad, the death of our loved ones is so painful. I’m so glad we have our heavenly Father who strengthens & comforts us through these unexpected times. Thank you for sharing your experience ♥
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Once again, thank you for sharing your heart.
I understand.
We are to hold to faith in God’s Promises above our circumstances.
The Precious Comforter is with us, upholding and strengthening us in our journey… till we see His Face. 🙏
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That He is 😀
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Oh, Jennifer, I am sorry you have received bad news. But what a wonderful heavenly Father we have that He brings us peace during these times. I am co-hosting the Faith And Worship Christian Weekend and would love for you to join us. You can find the party over on my blog Grace for a Gypsy.
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Thank you Sylvia.
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Praying for you and your family Jennifer! I’m sorry you’re not able to be with your family members right now, but as you so beautifully said, God is there with them. I hope your new symptoms subside soon. I know they can be frustrating and even scary sometimes. Praying you feel God’s arms around you sweet friend.
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Thank you Terri, He is comforting 🙂
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It is heartbreaking to be unable to go to be with those loved ones. I am grateful that you can center in God’s love and rest and deal with the flare. Peace to you dear friend.
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Thank you Elizabeth, yes His peace is amazing, peace to you too dear friend 🙂
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Jennifer, I am so saddened that God has led you into another hard place. I am praying for you and your family. At the same time I am blessed and encouraged by your response and wise words of encouragement. While we all would prefer never to receive such phone calls, we know we serve a God who never leaves us nor forsakes us. His strength is made perfect in weakness and He often uses His people to bring comfort and support. Thank you for this uplifting post!
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You’re most welcome Donna & thank you for your prayers!
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Jennifer, I’m so sorry you’ve endured so much trauma. And I’m sorry you’re unable to travel right now to be with loved ones. That is so difficult. I appreciate the encouragement to sit still before the Lord and to ask for His perspective in all you’re going through.
I would like to say my first reaction when I get hard news is that I come before Jesus and still myself in prayer. Reality is, though, that I need to process before I really know how to pray. I’m working toward being quicker to move to prayer than I do right now.
I’m saying a prayer for you, friend.
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Thank you Jeanne, I so appreciate your prayers. 🙂
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Oh, Jennifer…how frustrating and sad. Your body betrays you when you need it the most. I am so sorry that you got another one of “those” phone calls. I am sending prayers for you to our Heavenly Father and sending virtual hugs across the miles to you. Blessings, dear friend.
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Thank you Laurie, both are truly appreciated ♥
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Ugh, I’ve gotten a few of those phone calls too and they immediately send a spirit of dread deep into my bones. You’ve gotten far more than your fair share of them. 😦 I just read your updated post. Praying for all involved, including you!
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Thank you for your prayers Lisa, they’re greatly appreciated! Yes, I understand that feeling!
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Healing thoughts, love and prayers for all… ❤ 🙏🙏🙏<3 xo
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Thank you sweet friend. ♥
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Oh, Jennifer, I do recall such calls and as I am late in catching up with this and other blogs, I find your words taking me back to those times in my life. The calls always mean a loss of some kind, a challenge to face, faith to be tested, and a weight that feels too much. It is then that we most need to sense the Lord’s presence and to have the care of others as we walk the journey ahead. Your words are so honest. Thank you.
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Yes, pressing into the Lord’s strength at this time as I had another such call last night! It’s all a bit overwhelming at the moment!
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I’ve had maybe only one or two of those. I’m sorry you have had all those shocks. I’m praying for God to help you at this time.
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Thank you Jeanne that is so kind! Bless you 😀
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