Marriage from A to Z

“Separated for Seven Days”

One of the many difficulties of this pandemic is that loved ones who get sick and have to be hospitalized are hospitalized ALONE. Many hospitals are not allowing your spouse, significant other or anyone to accompany you in the hospital. This means you literally have to be dropped off and left to the care of the hospital.

On June 9th, I went into the hospital for a surgical procedure that was supposed to be in and out. It was in and out, but I experienced complications after being home for a few days. I could not keep anything on my stomach and was struck with an unbearable pain that sent me to the Emergency Room. My condition was so critical that they immediately started treating me. I spent 7 days in the hospital with no husband, mama, children, family or friends being able to accompany me. I know we are all experiencing things for the first time because of this pandemic. However, there has never been a time where any one in the family has had to be hospitalized and separated from everyone. In addition to this, the treatment for my condition was very painful. What a traumatic experience, but God!

Now for those who are Christians, we know that God is with us and that we are never alone. When I say God was with me, God made His presence known in so many ways. He reminded me of Matthew 28:20, “. . . and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” This is one reason why it is good to memorize scripture and to store the Word of God in your heart. You never know when there will come a time that you can’t physically read your Word. I believe it was the prayers of family and friends that successfully carried me through the seven days.” They may not have been physically there, but I could feel their love, presence and support. (Thank you!)

I was separated for seven days, but here is what I am celebrating. God’s faithfulness and healing power because it could have been the other way. God kept me and my family in the midst of the separation and brought us back together again on Father’s Day. My husband and my children had to trust God to take care of me. I celebrate God’s protection from COVID-19 while being in the hospital. I praise God for the people who I met during my stay, and I pray that I never have to experience that again. I praise God in advance for the messages that will come out of this seven day experience. Although this was the most painful experience of my life, I realize that great things are birthed out of pain. Seven is the number of completion and after seven days of suffering and separation it was finished!

I will never be the same because of this experience. I pray for all of those who have loved ones in the hospital and those who are scheduled to go in for surgery. Let us all take it seriously when someone requests prayer for a surgery or anything else. Prayer changes things and it is so important to talk to God about everything. May God be with you and keep you!

Until next time . . . .

Carolyn