“Go Back Home, Now!”

As members of the Church, we’ve all been taught the importance of listening and responding to the Holy Ghost. I have frequently felt his influence in my life, but never as powerfully as on one particular occasion last year.

My mother-in-law, who has struggled with several physical ailments as a result of a train accident many years ago, came to visit. She appeared remarkably healthy and vibrant that particular afternoon. My father-in-law dropped her off to visit while he attended to some business. Both my children were excited to have a chance to spend some time with Grandma.

Mom encouraged me to take advantage of her baby-sitting services and do some of my own errands. Grateful for that opportunity, I left the children with her.

Driving down the street, I marveled at her improvement. However, as I stopped at the first stoplight, I heard a distinct warning: Go back home now!

It was so powerful and urgent that I looked around to see who was speaking to me. Of course there was no one there, and I proceeded on, ignoring the incident. Within seconds I heard the warning again. This time, I turned around and headed home.

Mom was surprised to see me and couldn’t understand why I had returned. Telling her I had simply changed my mind, I looked around to see if anything was out of the ordinary. Everything appeared fine. The children were watching cartoons and all was quiet. Sitting down, I was confused, but I knew without a doubt that I had come back home for a reason. My heart was beating fast as I thought, Please, Father, be with me.

At that moment, my daughter exclaimed, “Look, Mom, Grandma is making funny faces.”

My mother-in-law, her face dusky blue, was sitting in the recliner having spasms. As a nurse, I recognized the grand mal seizure. Quickly I helped Mom to the floor and dialed the paramedics.

Within minutes they had arrived and stabilized Mom. Her seizure was over, but she was unable to speak. Her resulting stay in the hospital was lengthy, and her recovery was far from complete. Everyday tasks are still difficult for her.

Looking back on everything now, I realize that things might have turned out much differently if I had ignored the prompting of that still, small voice.