Sudden Impact
Working in the medical field has brought great relationships and experiences. Over the course of 15 years, I have taken several CPR classes. In the class, we are taught various lifesaving methods. One of those methods requires the use of an AED machine. To use it, turn on the machine to charge, apply the two paddles to the patient’s chest (Please note the paddles have printed graphics for pictorial instructions to assist with proper placement) and before pushing the button, you need to say “clear”. This serves as a warning to anyone near to ensure there is no physical contact and to avoid being shocked. You then push the button and the machine sends an electrical shock wave to revive or restart the heart. In what seems to be forever you wait to see if it worked or if you need to increase the voltage and try it again. How ironic that in the same tone, life will send events our way that can sometimes place us on our backs and leave us in a motionless state of response. The very thing that knocks you down can be used to shake you out of your lethargy. However, before this begins to look like an episode of E.R. let me say some moments in my life, and I have had my share all on different levels, were nothing like what we see on TV. There was no dramatic music playing in the background to build the suspense. There were not any machines and people staring and rooting. For me, there was silence and darkness. Now yes leading up to the silence and darkness there was a combination of all of the above. Tons of beeping, codes being called, and voices giving me instructions and encouragement. Nevertheless, at some point, it all went away and all that I thought I knew was silent. What am I talking about? I am talking about my ‘Sudden Impact’.
You see five years ago, I was blessed with a beautiful baby girl and that moment of pure bliss turned into confusion and fear. Within 30 minutes of delivery, I had an allergic reaction to a medication and my body began to shut down. One moment I was smiling with my daughter on my chest, the next I was looking at her measurements and the next I was gasping for air as I, through tears in my eyes, saw my husband in the corner of the room praying. There was a sudden commotion of doctors and nurses and crash carts and then nothing.
No more blurred vision, no more beeping machines, and no more bright lights. I could no longer hear my name being called. Suddenly things had changed. How does a moment so beautiful turn to a memory you would rather not have? Vivid flicks of me being rolled to, what I later learned to be ICU, and my mother in the hall crying replay in my mind. Not being able to move my jaw, speak or move ½ of my body and yet I was supposed to be happy about this new life. Yet that is exactly what was birthed that day. New life for the both of us. In an instant life as I knew, was no longer the same. Not just because I was now a mother of three but also because my entire life was shaken out of the old and forcefully thrown into something completely new. God allowed me to go through the most terrifying experience in my life to get me to where I am today. We know that God is all knowing but I am still very often amazed at the attention to detail He displays in my life. When that system shock or reboot from five years ago replays in mind, I am no longer sad. I now have gratitude. Who knows what my mindset would be and where my drive for life would have taken me had that not been my experience. But God! God definitely knew what I needed in that season. He knows how much force to use. He knows when enough is enough. Moreover, He knows where it will take us.
Psalm 119:25 NKJ says “My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.” To me that says, the inner workings of me are tightly grasping the tiniest of particles with the hope and expectation of God reviving and renewing me according to His word. Too often, we can easily be caught up in wishing for things to go back to the way they used to be. Back to what was or perhaps still is familiar to us. Why would God go through the process of saving us just to put us right where He picked us up from without change? When something is revived, change has to take place.
When we say, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NKJ) that is not to say everything is at a standstill and God shows us nothing new. In fact, it is the exact opposite. Ecclesiastes 1:9 NKJ says, “There is nothing new under the sun”. That is not a reference to us but to God. Therefore, the unexpected life changing events that are taking place today are not new to God, just to you and me. He has seen it all. We have to begin to get to a place where we trust the process. Take comfort in knowing God is not setting us up to fail. He wants the absolute best for us and we have to remember our footsteps have been ordered. Romans 8:28 KJV says “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose”. Sometimes those “things” come with great sacrifice. However, there is no greater example of sacrifice than that which was done on the cross. The impact of that was indeed sudden and everlasting.
Rochelle is a native to Las Vegas, Nevada and has been married to her high school sweetheart, Bryan for 20 years. They have three children Daviontae-21, Jordan-19 and Saria-4 years old.
Rochelle’s passion for writing started as a young girl when she used journaling as a way to voice her emotions. Over the years, God has taken something that was solely therapeutic, gave it a voice and is now using it to encourage and uplift women and people from state to state.
Rochelle has worked in healthcare for over 15 years. In her “free” time, she enjoys writing, cooking/baking, creating new recipes and spending time with her family. Having a strong inner circle as well as nurturing the lives of others is very important to her. Rochelle has a passion for encouraging women and helping them to see the value in knowing their self-worth.