I reflect that there have been three times that I know for sure that I was closer to death than life. Once was a few months ago when that internal hernia was so near to a rupture and the other was in January 1992. I had an emergency surgery at midnight and then had another emergency surgery a week later. On that particular midnight, I realized that one could be too sick to pray. Thankfully I had a praying husband to do his and mine too and I had a very wonderful doctor doing the physical stuff. He was a doctor who was filling in for my regular one who was on vacation.
We often pass that doctor's office on occasion and The Husband never ceases to say, "That's Dr. Joe's office. He saved your life." And the two of us never cease to be thankful for that wonderful doctor AND the wonderful GREAT physician, our Lord and Savior. Every. Single. Time.
A few weeks ago, something came in my sight that reminded me of that doctor. With all the technology now, I was able to locate him again, not far from where he was all those years ago. I felt compelled to write him a note of thanks and remembrance. I mailed it and thought very little more of the act.
Yesterday, my mailbox was full. There were many envelopes, mostly junk mail thankfully. There were packages crammed in there. (I figured must be a substitute mail carrier as my regular just brings that many goods to the porch.) I dug them out....the familiar dark blue Zulily package, the aqua blue Snapfish package, the envelopes, and a large white cardboard Priority mail package. Crammed in my small box.
Well being as I get very few white cardboard priority boxes, I sat in the car and noted that it had Dr. Joe's return address. I quickly opened it and there was a book he had written with a personal message written inside. It also had a single full typed letterhead sheet of paper with a letter to me. I sat there, read that letter, and cried like a girl. I won't go into all it said as it was to me personally, but I will say it offered me encouragement for my journey as it voiced to me how he had received encouragement from my note for his journey. He, too, remembered my case well after all these years--it WAS a scary one. The book is one I will enjoy as we all know how I love medical stuff....and the letter will be a treasured one.
I would like to share a couple of statements from his letter to me. He says, "Your message is such a confirmation and source of encouragement for me. Being one of God's children I know how often I fell short but am so grateful that on many occasions I was able to be His instrument to care for His family." He also says, "I believe our Savior is pleased when we reach out to one of His children in an act of kindness and love."
I gave thanks to my Savior that Dr. Joe was on call that particular night so long ago and that He knew MY Savior then and they both helped me through.
I encourage all of you to don't hesitate when you feel compelled to do something good even though it might seem random or odd. God reassures us in so many ways that He has a plan and He will provide. I know I say that often but it is so true.....He proves it o'er and o'er and o'er....and then o'er some more!
I'm thankful.
