is a place with no address
where loved ones mix with strangers
and faint smiles mix with stress…
where whispers catch attention
and laughter goes unheard
as stares fix on a distant door
awaiting some new word.
The chairs in Mercy's waiting room
hold hope and hints of strife.
The time is measured not by clocks
but subtle rhythms of life…
like blinks held shut and breaths held in
and sighs in sync let go...
or pacing feet past eyes that meet
while scanning to and fro
in search of strength from "they that wait"
for hours turned to days…
till, if God wills, all trembling lips
give way to pent-up praise.
©Tom Kapanka 12-16-2018
These pictures were taken in place called Mercy Hospital, street address: 1500 E Sherman Blvd., but the above lines are also about a more abstract place that can be called "The Waiting Room of Mercy," a waiting room that calls us all at different times in life and in any place where we learn from "they that wait upon the Lord" in prayer and supplication.
The opening lines of the post were prompted by some hours I spent at Mercy Hospital this past Thursday night, awaiting the news regarding a senior at CCS who, in the peak of health and fitness, suffered a cardiac arrest in our school gym during a routine basketball practice. His teammates were the first to gather 'round him. They are seated in some of the pictures above.
Thanks to his coach, the AED in our gymnasium, and the immediate arrival of our local first responders, this story has a very miraculous outcome, but that was unknown at the time of these photos.
The last photo is the moment that the boy's father first saw his dear friend, his son's coach, whose calm and trained response saved his son's life. I will post a video link to the good news that came over the weekend. In the meantime, here are two initial news articles from Friday and Saturday.
Click on title below:
Click on title below:
Mlive:
AED and quick thinking by coach credited with saving West Michigan teen’s life
Grand Haven Tribune
Grand Haven Tribune
Coach saves player who collapses at practice
Do you want to hear something that has brought comfort over these past few days? The student in this story is a leader on our school praise team. With him, the student body has sung a song called "I will follow" by Jon Guerra (a friend of CCS) countless times. The praise team sang that song Thursday morning in chapel, not knowing what the afternoon held.
Just three days after that announcement in church, WZZM 13 ran this story on the 6:00 News.
God often uses the storms in our lives to accomplish His perfect work. I am praising God for His mercy in "breathing life back into Luke again", and I am praying that God will accomplish His perfect work in the lives of all the students and families at Calvary Christian Schools and beyond.
ReplyDeleteWe continue to think about and pray for the Anhalt family.
ReplyDeleteThank you, guest. There is a praise and worship song that Luke has led our student body in many times. In fact, it was sung in chapel the morning of this incident. The opening lyrics say,
ReplyDelete"When the sea is calm and all is right
When I feel Your favor flood my life
Even in the good, I'll follow You
Even in the good, I'll follow You
When the boat is tossed upon the waves
When I wonder if You'll keep me safe
Even in the storms, I'll follow You
Even in the storms, I'll follow You"
Listen to the whole song here:
https://youtu.be/vTGJx4lNgco
Keith,
Thank you for keeping in touch with the CCS family and for remembering the Anhalt family this Christmas.
i continue to follow and pray for this young man and everyone involved. as an Muskegon Catholic fan / parent and heart patient myself it is the least i can do. I know you all would do the same for us.
ReplyDeleteDear friend from MCC,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your prayers. Perhaps we'll see you at Tuesday's game. Luke is scheduled to come home the same day. I just received an update from his father that he came out of surgery fine around noon.
Thanks so much for the site, I found a lot of useful information for us.
ReplyDeleteLiked the good program. there is something to think about ...