The Mighty Ant

Proverbs 6:8-8:

Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise,
Which, having no chief, officer or ruler,
Prepares her food in the summer, and gathers her provision in the harvest.

Proverbs 30:25

The ants are not a strong folk,
But they prepare their food in the summer

Ants.  They are not my friend.  I appreciate their abilities that God has given them.  I don't like them.  Now, I really do not like them. 

Here's my story:

Charles had football practice last night.  I was setting up my chair to watch.  In this process, I put my sandaled foot right smack dab in the middle of an ant hill.  I discovered it quickly as my left foot was covered in ants.  I got my sandal off in record time and stomped and danced around to get the ants off.  Looking down I thought, "Not bad,  2,3 bites."  Within half an hour I was itchy.  Mentioned it to the lady next to me.  It just got worse from there.  Charles was driving us home an I was in such an itchy state with my eyes starting to swell.  It seemed like it took forever to get home but when we did I went flying in.  Chris greeted me and I said hi running into our room and shedding everything because I was so uncomfortable.  Saw myself in the mirror and proceeded to scream, "CHRIS!!!!!"  Welts were all over my torso.  Spots were continuing to pop up and join together to make bigger welts.  Yuck!

Chris exclaimed, "OH MY GOSH"!!!!  His eyes were ready to pop out. 

I was screaming, "Go get Benadryl"

He went flying out of the house.  I'm walking around in a trance.  Charles is telling me, "Don't scratch , Mom.
It will only make it worse.  Once you scratch scabbing will occur and make it worse.  Stop scratching!"

It was pure craziness!  It seemed like forever but Chris finally got home with his bag of goodies.  He'd been gabbing with the pharmacist who told him that putting white vinegar on the welts would calm the itchiness.  I'm getting Benadryl in and Chris is rubbing or sloshing vinegar on me.  He's also in the process of calling our friend, Gayle.  She's a nurse who retired a few months back.  We didn't want to go to emergency but she told us we should.  She was concerned, as was I, because not only were my eyes swelling but the area around my mouth as well as my tongue starting to get tingling and swelling on the side.  Not to mention that I was getting tightness in my back radiating around the sides, scary. Yes, we headed to the ER.  This was about 2 hours after the intitial bites.

Yay!  ER was empty, no waiting.  Got in and evaluated and they started my drugs.  Wow!  They worked fast.  I was a limp noodle.  I couldn't even lift my hand to scratch my cheek.  After 1/2 an hour or so you could see the welts lessening.  Itchiness was gone too!  Ahhh, drugs, so thankful for them.  I couldn't even text because I couldn't lift my arms.  So I'm hoping there were some out there praying for me as God put me on their hearts. 

As I couldn't do anything, just lay there with my eyes closed, I prayed.  I prayed for the gal in the room next to me.  I prayed for the Dr.'s and nurses.  I prayed for Gayle, my family, friends, people on our churches prayer list.  I thanked God for this experience so that I could see His provision and continued care for our family.  I didn't thank Him for ants.  Just not there yet.

Sometime during this time, I noticed that a phone rang and the Dr. was called to it.  I heard him say, "Oh hi, Gayle!"  I smiled to myself.  This was the hospital Gayle worked at and she knows EVERYONE!  I was blessed knowing that she called the Dr. to check on me.  How sweet was that?

Chris had to leave at one point to get to work and I was happy to just be.  Brianna picked me up on her way home from work.  We had a funny time together.  Charles was trying to stay awake at home, bless his heart, but he was zonked and couldn't hold on.  Brianna got me into bed, fed me some food, and tucked me in.  I'm so thankful for my family.  They took great care of me.

Oh, one of my favorite things at the hospital was the blanket right out of the warmer.  Ahhh, that felt so good when my shaking, from the drugs, started in.  It's the little things in life.

I praise You, my Great God, for the things You allow in my and my families life to sanctify us and to draw us to praise and worship You!