It was a normal weekday at work. I found myself chained to the computer when I received an unexpected Facetime call from sister.  My eight-year-old bubby broke her wrist during recess the day prior.  (We call my twin nieces ‘the bubbies’) Today was her ortho appointment for casting. Unfortunately, mommy and bubby received unwelcome news. The orthopedist confirmed my bubby’s wrist was not aligned properly and they were going to have manually reset it; or in eight-year old terminology, they were going to “slap my bone”. 

Completely unaware of the above, I answered the Facetime call. I was greeted with teary-eyed faces.  My bubby wanted her auntie, and thanks to modern technology that request was easily fulfilled. Auntie did her best to provide comic relief and comfort, but everyone breathed an extra sigh of relief when daddy walked through the exam room door. All was going to be okay, daddy was here!

They changed rooms for the closed wrist reduction procedure. I watched helplessly as my bubby laid down on the exam table. Fear was written all over her face at this daunting ‘slap my bone’ procedure loomed.  Mommy caressed her hair. Daddy’s face was inches from hers. My bubby had no choice but stare into her daddy’s eyes. Daddy provided reminders that it was going to be okay, and to breathe. Bubby and daddy were center stage, framed perfectly by the I-Phone camera angle. When my bubby tried to look away toward her wrist and the doctor, Daddy would call her back. Daddy’s reassurance did not stop tears from escaping out of corner of my bubby’s golf ball sized eyes, but their eyes remained fixed on each other. All the while, this helpless auntie had a front row virtual seat.

“ ASK and it will be given, SEEK and you shall find, KNOCK and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

My eight year old bubby did not want to have the doctor ‘slap her bone”. She begged, she pleaded, she cried, but it was no use. The adults knew this was for her own good. This short stint of pain and panic was going to produce a perfectly healed bone.

Her ASK: “Please don’t let them slap my bone”. This was not answered the way she wanted. It had to be done.  

Her SEEK: “I want aunt Jackie”. This was provided; (thank you Facetime).

The KNOCK AT THE DOOR was open and daddy appeared.

God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we ask, want or beg for. Sometimes our ASKs are not what are best for us. But we are NEVER left alone.  Watching my bubby’s parents reassure and console their frightened little girl, I felt like an angel observing a heavenly scene. I have no doubt this scenario happens daily, to all God’s children young and old. Whether we feel it, recognize it, or acknowledge it.  We have the Holy Spirit in us and next to us providing comforting hair caresses, and Jesus right in front of us, inches from our face whispering to us it is going to be okay.

Mamas are you able to feel this comfort? Are you STILL enough to notice? Rest assured, Jesus is there beside you. Be strong and courageous. “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

That same my bubby wrote this poem about her experience:

A Broken Bone

Today I have not had a blast

For I have to wear a heavy cast

It all started when I flipped on the bar.

I was having fun until I went too far.

It all happened because of one mistake.

I had a bone that was about to break.

A parent came, she came fast

Who knew how long my crying would last?

She rushed me to the nurse quick.

What was wrong? Was I hurt? Was I sick?

My mom came in and she held me tight

 And from then on I could see the light.

We drove away, our tires turned,

My face was pale, my arm burned.

We waited long at urgent care.

Why did my bone just start to tear?

Then my hand began to swell.

The doctor gave me a splint and wished me well.

The next day the doctor said they needed to reset my bone.

I knew I could not do this alone

So we call my aunt on the phone.

At that moment I felt at home.