How Listening to the Still, Small Voice Saved My Son’s Life

Sometimes the still, small voice isn’t still or small. Sometimes it raises its voice and tells you to go check on your kids.

Two weeks ago I heard my 2 ½-year-old making a weird coughing sound during naptime so I went to his door and felt a strong prompting to go inside instead of listening outside the door. After throwing the door open, I found him kneeling on his bed with his hands in his mouth, choking and coughing. I grabbed him and brought him into the kitchen where he told me in a scratchy, strained voice that he had swallowed part of his sister’s hair clip. I had set it on the changing pad when I put them down for naptime, not thinking. I thought he meant the little jewel that was in the middle of her bow, and despite my doubt that it was silly of me to panic, I knew I needed to take him to the emergency room. He kept sticking his hands in his mouth, and he gagged himself and threw up a few times. I picked him up and grabbed a bowl and we rushed to the ER. We were immediately taken back to a room where they did an x-ray and found the back part of a barrette clip stuck in his trachea. Two hours later he was under anesthesia in the operating room having it removed.

I am so grateful for the doctors who worked fast and with steady hands to get the clip out. I am grateful that my sister just happened to be at my house for the weekend so she could watch my daughter and we could go straight to the ER. I’m grateful for the prayers that my friends and family said for little Jameson. I’m grateful for the prayers said on my behalf so I could keep it together and be brave for my son. I didn’t realize how scared I was until after we got home and both kids were in bed.

A lot of the time we worry if we are overreacting about our kids having a cough or hurting their arm. We doubt the promptings we get because we don’t want to be “that mom” who makes a big deal out of something when it’s not. But if I hadn’t listened to the promptings to go into my son’s room and then to bring him to the emergency room, this story could have had a very sad ending. The doctors told me that this was a very “life-threatening” situation, and things could have been a lot worse if I hadn’t acted. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Never doubt those promptings.

2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart. (D&C 8:2)

Chelsea Johnson

I’m a wife to a doctor and mama to two toddlers. I love talking about pregnancy and the ups and downs of motherhood. I have a weakness for delicious food, and love anything pumpkin. I have no doubt that our Savior loves us and knows exactly how we’re feeling at all times, good and bad.