His Outstretched Arm and the Rabies Vaccines

I dangled my feet from my favorite table perch Sunday morning and let coffee bring me into the light of day. Don had gone to church without me so I relived the night's events alone. At 10:03pm, a text arrived from Courtney
stating, "Sam's battling a bat. I'll let you know the result."

A real live bat?

As I stared out our picture window at tall, glistening oaks, my lips turned up in a slight smile. The surge of caffeine helped since "I'd slept but my heart was awake." (Song of Songs 5:2) The long night over, memories continued.

Puzzled, knowing they were spending their first night in their home away from homes in the suburbs of Washington D.C, I immediately replied, "Indoors or out?"

"In a room. He got it out. Call you soon."

Really? Sam's been battling a bat inside the affluent home you're staying in all summer??

Don and I were watching Persuasion so I let myself sink back into the rhythm of Jane Austin and English accents. But when the movie ended and I hadn't heard from her, I called.

"Sorry I never called," Courtney began, "But after I read about bats and rabies, I realized Sam probably needs a rabies shot."

"Was he bit?" my voice raised in obvious alarm.

"No," she explained, "but after Sam shepherded the bat towards a window with a broom, it landed on a book shelf. So he threw a towel over it and then had to figure out how to get it out the window. It was hard to get a grip on it because the towel was so thick so Sam pulled parts of the towel out slowly till he could grab hold of it. Once he held it, though, it gnawed at Sam's fingers through the towel."

"Did it break the skin?"

"No, but everything I've read says you have to be careful if you've been near the saliva. And the saliva was all over the towel.So he's calling Kaiser (our health insurance carrier) to see what they say."

When I'd told them to have an adventure as they walked out the door Thursday morning, I never expected it to involve a bat and rabies shots.

By midnight they had a plan. Since the bat had been in the other interns room for an unknown amount of time (having entered through a slit in a screen window that housed an air condition unit) Sam and Michelle both chose the conservative path, opting for the rabies vaccine. Actually, I should say Sam agreed to the vaccine to calm his wife's fears. He didn't think he'd been exposed to the deadly virus, but since there's no cure if he was wrong, he agreed to the safe route.

So off they went. In one car. To two hospitals, since Sam and Michelle are covered by two different insurance carriers. My phone buzzed at 4:49 am, "Just got six shots. I have to get one more on the 3rd, 7th, and 14th of June. Now to go get some sleep."

As I said, "I slept but my heart was awake..." (Song of Songs 5: 2)

Sam and I share a mitochondrial disease diagnosis, yet he's training to run an Ironman in the fall. A one time thing. So knowing he'd received a round of painful shots his first night away made me toss and turn, wondering what the lingering effects might be.

So far, he's good. Albeit a little sore.

Somewhat unsettled the following day, this verse stuck out as I did my Beth Moore Bible Study home work: "With a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever." (Psalm 136: 12)

I've heard those words a thousand times. I've sung them even more. But they took on new meaning this week since I can't get to my kids quickly if they're in need.

I can't. But His mighty hand can. His o-u-t-s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d arm can reach them wherever they go. Can you see it? An arm that reaches down from the skies, penetrates the darkness, and holds us with strength and might? And more than seeing it, can you believe it?

I have to. It keeps me sane. Because while this may be the last time Sam fights bats in the belfry (or the bedroom next door) it's not the last time life will surprise us and stir fear of the unknown.

With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm that can wrap itself around the globe and more; His love endures forever!

Don't let the news convince you otherwise. It will try. Don't let the sin in this world or the fear of what's to come keep you from anchoring your soul in this truth. Grab hold of it. Picture it in your mind. Trust the ones you love to His constant, abiding care.

Don't worry about bats or even rabies vaccinations.

"With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; His love endures forever."