by Cherrilynn Bisbano @bisbanowrites
My life came to a halt, again. I know that sounds dramatic for a bump on the head, but I couldn’t read, drive, or work for two months—doctors’ orders. Now, if my daily routine changed for a writer’s conference, visitors, or a vacation, I would rejoice.
But an unplanned interruption was not on my to-do list.
A year before my head injury, I stood in Trauma Unit One of Rhode Island Hospital. My sister looked uncomfortable lying on the metal table in a neck brace. As machines beeped, doctors performed a tracheotomy on a gunshot victim only feet away. A woman’s heart stopped in the next trauma room. I cried out to the Lord.
Help my sister. Don’t let her be paralyzed.
Ninety minutes prior, a pickup truck rear-ended her on the highway and fled the scene.
After her examination, the doctor determined she had a small fracture in her neck.
The physicians didn’t know the extent of the damage.
Thoughts rushed through my head as I held my sister’s hand.
How can I take care of her? My book—on hold. Speaking—on hold. Coffee with friends—on hold.
I felt guilty for thinking about myself and not my sister. On top of that, my guilt increased as I thought of the gunshot victim and the dying elderly woman in the next room.
Lord, please forgive me for being selfish. I’ll stop my life and take care of my sister.
The Holy Spirit impressed upon my heart, This IS your life. Your life is NOT on hold. Now, pray for those around you.
I began to pray for the man with the gunshot wound—he started to breathe.
The doctor used the electric paddles and revived the elderly woman.
The nurse took my sister for more tests, so I joined the family and friends of the gunshot victim in the waiting room. I told them I prayed for them and their loved one.
“Thank you. I cannot go see him, because I’m not immediate family,” a girl said to me in between her sobs.
“Tell his mom to whisper in his ear that you are here,” I said.
The mom heard our conversation.
The mom and I walked to Trauma Unit One. I went to Bay B, and the mom returned to Bay A. There was no curtain or wall between our loved ones, and I watched as she whispered something in his ear. I dared not stare too long, so I hurried to my sister’s side.
“Pull the tube out. He’s breathing on his own,” the doctor said.
I turned and smiled at his mom and clasped my hands as if I were praying.
She smiled and said, “Thank you.”
Life is never interrupted.
Our journey consists of experiences where we learn to grow, heal, give, and trust our Creator.
My sister is healed, and I’m learning to embrace the unexpected.
I thank God for the valuable lessons and for allowing me to be part of His plan.
My schedule may be on hold, but my life is never on hold.
Has God interrupted your life or put your plans on hold? Please join the conversation by leaving a comment below.
Cherrilynn Bisbano is the founder of The Write Proposal book proposal services.
As managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest.
Cherrilynn is a speaker with Women Speakers. Her topics include leadership, book proposals, and the Bible. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.
She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. You can find her published in Southern Writers, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Christian Voice, Refresh and other online magazines. Cherrilynn is a contributor to Selah-nominated Breaking the Chains, Heart Reno, and Chicken Soup for the Soul-Miracles books.
Cherrilynn proudly served in the Navy and Air National Guard, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award. She lives with her sixteen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 20 years.
Cherrilynn loves Christ, chocolate, coffee, and cats.
The Conversation
Thank you for this encouraging word, Cherrilyn. Two days before I was to fly out for the ACFW conference, I broke both ankles in a freak at-home accident. Recovering fine though weak but wondered about the timing of the accident. You helped me to embrace another perspective. For now my life is not on hold. This healing process and the opportunities the Lord brings to me to serve him in new ways is my life. Thank you so much.
Cherrilynn, Thank you for your perspective. That you are willing to pray for others is a practical witness of Christ’s love.
Cherrilyn, what a wonderful post. Thank you for reminding us that our life is never on hold when we walk with the Lord. Blessings! 🙂
Thank you for the encouragement. This is one lesson God keeps teaching me. I pray I learned it this time.
“This is your life.” “My schedule may be on hold, but my life is never on hold.“ Keeping this one written down by my computer. Thanks you for the renewed perspective, Cherrilynn.
Wow! What a wonderful post! I read this with tears in my eyes. Thank you for this powerful reminder that when unforeseen things occur, our life is not “put on hold”…this is our life. Thank you for sharing this!
Cheryl, What a powerful post. “This IS your life.” resonated with me. Seven weeks ago, I fell and fractured my hip. The days and weeks that followed have been my life-not writing, lunches, teaching, but life with restrictions, reflection, and many lessons–hardly on hold. Thanks for that sentence. It was an encouragement and truth.
Marilyn, I pray your hip heals quickly. Thank you for your encouragement. May our great God continue to teach us during the difficult times.
Beautiful article, Cherrilynn!
Loretta, Thank you! God bless you as you serve Him.
I appreciate your post. I have been on hold for more than a year due to circumstances; before that it was lack of motivation. I am a senior and it seems like my writing days are over, but I don’t want to quit. I worked and wrote for a Christian magazine for 20 years and retired and wrote on self-published book (I wish I had tried traditional until I found an interest.) The experience was discouraging dealing with the publisher and not knowing or feeling able to do marketing. Please pray for me.
Eila, I will pray for you. I bet you could help some young writers. May God grant you the desires of your heart.
Perfect timing. I needed that line, “Your life is not on hold. This IS your life.” Thank you!
Jodie, I praise God that my experience can help others. May God bless you.
Such a cool story and a great reminder. Thanks for sharing!
Ashley, Thank you for visiting the blog. I’m glad you liked the story. May our great God bless you.
Thanks for this post, Cherrrilynn! As I read this I’m away from home for medical treatments. I’m about to start my third week here and I have at least one more to go. About two months ago I was here for almost three weeks. I had to resign from my job and yet God provides. I love that you said your life isn’t on hold, this is your life. That’s what I’ve come to understand as well. I’ve spent too much time waiting to start my life again before realizing that THIS is my life and even though it doesn’t look like I had planned, it is good and God is at work. Bless you, my friend!
Josie, I’ve been praying for you. I pray the treatments work. I also pray that God will give you many opportunities to witness to others about His great love and care. I’m here if you need me.
Thank you so much!
Cherrilynn,
Your article is so relatable to my interruptable lifestyle.
It seems like I’m always promising myself, “when I get done with this task, I’ll have time to write or complete my manuscript.”
I have several partial YA and PB manuscripts on my computer. Just when I think I have found the time to revise, rewrite, and complete, the phone rings.
Last year when it rang, my thoughts and heart stopped at the life-altering situation my family would be facing. Normal, by the world’s standards, would never be ours. Through this, God led me to text a scripture and short message of encouragement each day to my Grands (the 6 who have phones). Now it’s down to Mondays are my Grandsons and Wednesday are my Grandaughters since we have settled into our new normal.
The pain I could not share with my WMU group poured out into establishing a weekly scripture email every Monday at 9 am.
I enrolled in an online picture book and illustrating course because I needed permission to scribble and write nonsense. I rescheduled a critique this past Friday due to my mother’s condition. Mom will be 101 in December so I cherish the time God has given us. Mom continues to search the scripture and discover new comfort that she imparts to her Bible Study Ladies she has over each week. She is my Mom, Mentor, and Muse.
I’ve always secretly feared that I purposely choose to abandon my writing to do what needs to be done out of fear that my words are not good enough nor ever will be print ready.
My spirit was refreshed when you shared what The Holy Spirit impressed upon your heart. Thank You, I continue to scribble and write and wait on the Lord for His Time, His Place, and His Words.
Rebecca, thank you for sharing your heart. I know your Grands are closer to God and you. What an honor to have a mom who loves the Lord and His Word. You are truly blessed.
God has so much in store for you. I’m grateful my words were a comfort and encouragement to you.