God at Dollar General

Speaking of following God's way, yesterday morning on my way to school I needed some lunch supplies. I had been occupied all the previous week on jury duty and my cupboard was bare. I debated on whether to stop at the local Dollar General or just go on to school. I was running late and I really didn't feel well, but when we got to the turn in I just followed my car. I parked, went inside and quickly grabbed up my stuff and proceeded to the check out. It was early and the store had only been opened a few minutes. The only people in the store were the cashier, who was the store manager and me. While checking out the cashier, Pat turned suddenly and grasped the cart next to her. She asked if I was ready. When I replied yes, she asked if I could wait, she said she felt dizzy. I waited a few moments and ask if she was alright.
Her weak response, "I hope so."
I waited a few seconds and asked, “Is there anything I can do, or anyone I can call.”

By now she was very pale, her breathing was heavy, and she felt like she might throw up. She was sweaty and her skin was clammy/

She replies with urgency, "Call 911!"

I did as she instructed and I followed the instruction of the operator, asking question of Pat and trying to get an assessment of her visual characteristics. The 911 operator assured her that an ambulance had been dispatched and the first responders should be arriving any minute. In the interim I was consoling and tried to relieve her fear and anxiety. I could she that she was scared. The First Responders arrived almost immediately and they were able to assess Pat's immediate medical conditions. When the ambulance arrived the paramedics determined that her medical needs would best be addressed at the hospital. Pat wanted to go to the hospital.

There was one condition, that being that I stay at the store until relief for her arrived. While we were waiting for help, she called her son, and and someone to replace her. She would only leave when she was sure the store would be secure. During this whole encounter, I was still the only one in the store besides the medical personnel. By now getting to work on time was the least of my concern, and I had realized that God indeed had taken me shopping that morning for more than groceries. It was much later in the day when I realized that I was not the only one in the store. God was there to guide me and to care for Pat. When the replacement arrived, customers followed and I continued my daily routine. Much later in the day it hit me. “If I had not stopped, Pat may have collapsed in the store, all alone." The outcome could have been much different.

I checked on Pat later and found that she had been released and her diagnosis was extreme vertigo. The diagnosis could have been much worse. We are all hopeful for her complete recovery. I thank God for his mysterious ways. It was a very good day