The Hands and Feet of Jesus at work

Last Tuesday night I went with my grandmother to take my grandfather, mom's dad, to the hospital. He had been to the doctor earlier that day and the doctor told him it was his gallbladder. We were waiting in the ER with him since 9 pm Tuesday night till 3:30 am Wednesday morning. Got him in a room around 4 am and I stayed the night with him. 

He had intensive surgery Wednesday afternoon to remove his gallbladder, which had ruptured. It was impossible to do the microscopic surgery like most people have because of the extent that it was damaged.  He came through the surgery alright but the infection had spread to the rest of his body causing him to be very weak. I was with him a lot during this week. My mom, dad, uncle and I all rotated staying overnight with. I am physically exhausted and ache all over, but I know this is nothing compared to what he is going through.

Although this is a minor surgery in the grand scheme  of things, it kills me seeing this once strong and humble man who never bragged and hardly ever asked for help, be in such a weakened physical state and depending on nurses and doctors to help him because of his discomfort and pain. It makes me realize that even the strongest, most humble, and courageous of men, when at their weakest, need help from others, and most of all, from the almighty healer himself. These nurses and doctors may be helping him but ultimately it is the Lord who is healing him. These nurses and doctors are truly acting as the hands and feet of Jesus. Their calm demeanor, their gentleness, their compassion, and their dedication to helping those in pain are qualities that are most admirable and are proof that The Lord can work through all people. Others might just see it as those people's jobs, and it very well might be just that to them, but for me, I see the love and compassion of Christ shining through from these amazing people. Posted in almost every room in this hospital is a plaque that has the first part of Psalm 46:1 printed on it, which reads "God is our refuge and strength...". And oh how true that statement is!  Praise to the almighty healer and Savior! 

As I am writing this on Tuesday 7/2, he is scheduled to come home tomorrow. Praise God! Thank you all for your support and prayers! 

Life is Short, Good Samaritans, & State Farm

Yesterday I was reminded of 3 things.
1. Life is short and can be taken from us at any moment unexpectedly. 
2. There are still good people in the world
3. Some State Farm agents are still true to their slogan.

Around 4 pm our house phone rang and my mom answered it in the kitchen. I was 2 rooms away, but could still hear her. "What?! Where?! Are y'all okay?!" I ran in the kitchen and she was still on the phone. I asked her what happened and she said that my grandparents had been in a bad wreck in Macon, MS (about 45 minutes from my house). They were both okay but the car was torn up. We jumped in our SUV and quickly drove to pick them up. It was the year anniversary of my great aunt Bobbie's death. My grandparents had gone down to my grandfather's hometown to put flowers on her grave. They were driving home on a 4 lane highway. There was an intersection in the highway, but only the crossing road had a stop sign. My grandparents were on the highway, when all of a sudden, from the crossing road, come a car flying past the stop sign. Not only did the car run the stop sign, he sped across 3 lanes of traffic, hit my grandparents car, and finally hit & knocked over the stop sign on the opposite side of the highway!

Luckily, my grandfather was able to swerve to avoid any further damage. He and my grandmother were both okay, save for a bruise on my grandmother's arm. While they were standing outside their car after the wreck, a nice lady drove up and let my grandmother sit in her car with her and then drove her to the hotel (the wreck was right in front of a hotel), got her some water, and stayed with her until my grandfather had finished business with the insurance and police. The lady did not know them, yet stopped and helped out of the kindness of her heart. A genuine "good Samaritan"! When my grandfather and the State Farm Insurance agent got to the hotel, the lady left. The State Farm agent stayed with my grandparents until my mom and I arrived. The agent was the nicest and most helpful old insurance agent that I've ever met! He treated them like he knew them, which he didn't. I guess their motto is correct: "Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm Is There" =)

Even though nobody was seriously injured, it was a shocking jolt of reality that made me realize that no matter what we do or how safe we think we are, our lives can be unpredictably taken. It makes me think about the important things in life, and what I want to accomplish before I die. When I die, I want my life to have meant something. I want to have made a difference in people's lives. I know that if I continue to live my life for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, then I can accomplish those goals. We needn't worry about the little things, for we need to focus on God.

Matthew 6:19-34 talks about where our focus should be and what we shouldn't worry about. 

• 6:19-21 says:

  “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."

• 6:30-33 says:

  "And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." 

In conclusion, I was reminded of 3 things: life is short and can be taken from us at anytime, there are still good people in the world that do good things to help others, and some State Farm agents really o stick to the motto!