Praises and Thoughts

Last week, my mom's brother, John, underwent an emergency triple by-pass. He has now enjoyed 7 days with his "new" heart. (All praise to God for this healing!!!) And with this "new" heart has come a new outlook on life. He has sent emails lately that have been so full of positiveness and joy. Of confidence and reliance on the Lord. Of gratefulness and strength. It is a beautiful side of Uncle John!

Uncle John is a practicing orthopedic surgeon, and, as it is with most doctors, loves the art of medicine but detests the business end of it. He has often talked about the pitfalls of having his own practice and of the difficulties that not only the government but also insurance companies place on the practice of healing medicine. I would guess that the majority of doctors think the same thing.

Anyway, there have been some wonderful things that he has said in some of his recent emails, and I wanted to share bits and pieces of them with you. I guess you have to know John to feel the weight of his saying these things. But even without that, what he's saying is still worth repeating!

Here's an excerpt from his first post-op email to family and friends:

"My ICU nurse for that shift closed the door to the room and held my hand and asked if she could pray with me. I never felt quite so filled with the Spirit before for that Spirit was in the room. He had brought me through all this and now this wonderful ICU nurse was going to offer up thanks to Him. Those were the most beautiful words in prayer I have ever heard and they will stay in my mind the rest of my life. The people who have this hard job of taking care of us when we are sick and who seem so detached at times are far from it. They really do care. And I really do care what happens to our medical system as politicians batter it around. We must never lose what we have. We must make it even more available to everyone in America, no matter what the cost. If there is such a thing as the LORD's work on earth, it is this-to heal the sick."

Amen, and amen. The government has no business in medicine. People get things done - government does not. We need to make our caring doctors and nurses available to more people without involving the government. Wouldn't that be a beautiful ministry!!!

Thank you to SueSue for volunteering at a local free clinic. That is the kind of ministry work that would fall in line with what Uncle John is talking about!