What a wonderful comfort, in fact an exciting reminder it is for me, to look back on my own words. I cannot count the number of times through the years of ministry that I have gone to the hospital to have prayer with members of the church who were going to have surgery, or who were sick. In those prayers I give thanks for the presence of God in all circumstances. I thank God for doctors and nurses. Now I am ready for my first experience as an inpatient at a hospital as I have my right knee replaced tomorrow. I think of those words of my past prayers and am thrilled at the truth of them.
As I was meditating on the passage of the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, and how the baby within Elizabeth lept for joy at the presence of the Lord: I was drawn to the idea of “thrilling at the knowledge” that the Lord is with me and will be with me as I go up the elevator to the 3rd floor, not as a pastor but as a patient; that as they put in the IV, as the anesthesiologist and nurse and Doctor visit with me; as they take me to surgery, and as I wake up – IN ALL THOSE TIMES God will be with me.
I’ve thanked God for that many times in the lives of others – no I can practice what I preach. Thanks be to God.
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