The Sunday morning of 14th July 2008 started like any other Sunday. My husband was invited to preach at one church in Chennai. Suddenly, I received an unexpected phone call saying,
“Your husband, Rev. Stanie Charles, is having severe chest pain, so we have brought him to a medical clinic and the doctors have administered medication, but the pain has not yet subsided.”
I didn’t know what to answer. Then I requested that they quickly shift him to a hospital near my home in Ambattur, Chennai. I was anxiously waiting beside the road. We immediately rushed him to the hospital, and he was taken to the ICU as he was having intense chest pain. The doctors said,
“Your husband’s had a heart attack, and the next 24 hours are extremely crucial, and until then, we cannot say anything. Which means, anything can happen.”
I have no words to explain my feelings and emotions during that time of uncertainty and distress. However, I was alone and had to make quick decisions and do the needful. Soon after, I went to the pharmacy to get the medications the doctors had prescribed. Upon seeing the prescription, the pharmacist said,
“Madam! Rush to the ICU! This injection means life or death. Your husband must be counting the last few seconds of his life. You can make the payment later.”
I ran as quickly as possible towards the ICU. While running, I ignored what other people would think or say about me, or whether I could run fast, and I sprinted to deliver the medicine. The doctors immediately did the needful. Then, while returning from the ICU to pay the bills, I realized and understood the true meaning of “GO QUICKLY,” Matthew 28:7-8, where the angel said to the women
“Go quickly and tell his disciples that He has risen from the dead. The women ran quickly from the tomb …. rushed to give the disciple the angel’s message.”
Therefore, whatever your age or gender might be, if you are a true believer in God, run quickly and tell the good news. My dad, Rev. Harris Hilton said,
“Serving God is the most prestigious honor and greatest opportunity in this life. When God gives you the strength and opportunity to run for the gospel, O you’d better run! A day will come when you have to sit, and at that time, you won’t be able to run even if you want to.
Our life is precious and short; hence, for the sake of the gospel, whatever needs to be said, say it quickly, and whatever needs to be done, do it quickly
Mrs. Esther Charles
