I happened to be wearing this T-shirt bearing the words, “Warning I may Start Talking About Jesus At Any Time,” when I took Andy to the hospital emergency room where he was eventually admitted for COVID-19. I’ve never been much for flaunting Christian brands, but last year during the pandemic, this bold tee caught my eye and I ordered it up. Hey, don’t think I’m some brave soul, because remember, we didn’t go out in public last year! So, while I wish I could say I’m unabashedly spreading Jesus to everyone I meet, well geesh that’s not the case. Oh yes, I do like to tell a good God story, when the timing is right, but it seems I spend way too much time calculating for those perfect moments. In this case it was a scary dash for the hospital, and there I was without even realizing it, forewarning others that the “J” word might come flying out of my mouth.

Warning:  Wearing a Jesus warning tshirt gets a lot of attention!

We had awesome medical staff including a traveling nurse from Florida. She thanked me for wearing my T-shirt and I looked down for the first time realizing I had already started a conversation without even speaking a word. We clicked immediately. This happy RN took a huge liking to Andy and shared about caring for a boy with COVID-19 in Missouri who happened to have Down Syndrome. In that situation, the parents were not allowed to stay with their son in the hospital and he became so distraught he would run out of his isolated space wailing, eventually needing to be intubated. Compassionately she shared her strong belief that the boy may have never worsened to such a degree of needing a ventilator had his mom and dad been allowed to stay with him. Thankfully he recovered and many many weeks later his dad was allowed to pick him up from the hospital. The heart  wrenching emotion of not seeing your son who has intellectual disablities during such a critical time must be overwhelming. I understand the need for guidelines and I hope officals will realize the necessity for exceptions.  

For me and Andy, upon arriving at the hospital emergency room and getting the COVID-19 positive test result, the night staff seemed to encourage my staying at the hospital to help mend him back to health. But, shortly thereafter the morning staff arrived and their attitudes enforced the “No Visitors” rule. In a calm way, I asked to speak to the head of the department and then meeting after meeting I pled my case for why I must stay by Andy’s side throughout treatment. I was seriously praying they would listen to me, not knowing all the while my “warning” garb was sending the highest message. Reality check, I’m glad I didn’t use a swear word while getting firm with the officials in charge 🙂       

The hospital Chaplain made a visit to our quarantined suite in the Intensive Care Unit, and we were happy to invite her in for some personal contact! She noticed my t-shirt and said she wanted one just like it!  She was high energy and full of stories as we enjoyed her company. I introduced her to Andy and told her how he always dreamed of being a Pastor. I shared about him “marrying” off family members while performing mock wedding ceremonies in our basement, and she laughed relating that she had the same type of childhood. I filled her in on our long-time joke how Andy is inspired to preach, but not much interested in going to church! She belly-laughed and shouted out, “Me too!” The Chaplain shared about her visits to sick patients since the onset of this pandemic and their yearning for comfort, contact, and healing. She reports that those suffering before COVID-19 might refuse to see her, but since our world has taken on great fear not one has denied a chat and in fact continually welcome her in with the anticipation of good news.  Huh, I guess there’s no warning necessary within the sterile white roomed walls – fear of Jesus talk has left the building! 

On yet another day, the Physical Therapist made her arrival to Andy’s bedside and not just once, not twice, but three times she thanked me, with more emphasis each additional time, for wearing the t-shirt. I’ve never been thanked for my choice of wardrobe and it felt odd. But later, when she shared in general about the patients she sees, I got the feeling she appreciated the simple hope generated. I’m guessing she might be sporting a “Jesus warning” of her own in the future.

Several days into our stay it was getting particularly hard. Andy’s oxygen levels were not good and his anxiety was almost unmanageable! Finally, he dozed and I sat in my recliner/bed when my phone rang. I was shocked to hear Andy’s new family physician (his previous doc retired earlier in the year) calling me at 10pm to check in. He was reading each of Andy’s test results to me and giving his opinion. I was exhausted, but this sweet voice in the night made me sit upright.  “Who is this man?” I wondered. I listened as he spoke words of encouragement and then I was flabbergasted when this scientific intellect gently declared he would be praying for Andy. I looked down at my t-shirt and mused how no one warned me that our new doctor was filled with faith!  

I was still wearing the “Warning” t-shirt on day 7 with no shower due to quarantine and the fact I was completely caught up in working motherly triage.  Finally, the day was here, and I roused Andy out of a deep sleep and gave him the fantastic news that he was going home. His eyes fluttered open and then slowly raising both arms above his head, in Rocky-style, he pumped the air. I hugged him and we clung to each other weeping tears of joy. He had conquered the hard stuff of COVID-19 and along with his other medical complications, he was healing! Another kind nurse who I had tag teamed with often throughout this ordeal made our final preparations for escape. She was very young and had seemed wary of this mama bear to begin with but together we worked for Andy’s best and our trust in each other grew. In life and death situations relationships bond quickly and I knew ours had become one of sincere appreciation.  After asking me for my final signature she whispered how brave I was to be wearing the t-shirt. I smiled and shared that there was no bravery here, just desperation. Curiously tilting her head, she seemed to ponder, and I thanked her for helping my boy as we turned and went home.