March 9, 2006

A scriptural 911

By Elois P. Espinoza

My husband and I were enjoying a Saturday afternoon at the home of our daughter, her husband and their two children. One moment I was well. The next, I was on the ground struggling to breathe.

I had fallen to the ground from a zip-line cable ride while traveling between 15-20 miles per hour. My son-in-law and husband were quickly at my side, insisting that I not move until help arrived. My daughter was calling 911 on her cell phone.

As we prayed while waiting for the paramedics, I was flooded with a peace I knew came from my trust in God. The melody and words of the chorus rang out in my mind:

Bueno es estar en los brazos de mi Señor

Bueno es estar en los brazos de mi Señor

Bueno es estar en los brazos tiernos de mi Señor

Bueno es estar en los brazos de mi Señor

It’s so good to be in the arms of the Lord

It’s so good to be in the arms of the Lord

It’s so good to be in the everlasting arms of the Lord

It’s so good to be in the arms of the Lord

The doctor in the emergency room reported multiple breaks in my back, broken ribs, a broken collarbone and a crushed lung. He could not understand how I was not experiencing paralysis in my legs with the seriousness of my injuries.

I knew the reason: I was “in the arms of my Lord.” Prior to surgery, the neurosurgeon informed us that he could not comprehend how I had not suffered any paralysis with the two crushed vertebrae and three fractured vertebrae, especially when the MRI showed some of the bone fragments almost touching my spinal cord. He clearly explained that, while I had been fortunate, we had to accept the reality that my pending surgery could result in temporary or even permanent paralysis.

God manifested His power in my body. I now have two long rods in my back, with 13 screws. Six days after my surgery, I was transferred to a rehabilitation center for an anticipated 2-4 weeks of therapy to help me walk again. After only four days of therapy I was walking without assistance. To God be the glory.

The 911 call on my daughter’s cell phone brought the paramedics to my side within minutes. But our prayers brought a greater power to my side immediately. As we prayed, the scriptural 911 became a reality: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1, NIV).

Elois P. Espinoza works in the Office of the Secretariat at Assemblies of God Headquarters in Springfield, Mo.