An encouraging word: Life can be better

Published 9:25 am Thursday, November 17, 2016

For sometime, I have dealt with a health problem, retention of fluid. But the physician calls it congestive heart failure.

Sometime ago, on a Thursday night, I began to develop signs of bronchitis and a bad rattle in my chest. Sleep was difficult. The next morning the scales showed a sharp weight gain, and I was reasonably sure what the problem was. The weekend was not pleasant.

On Tuesday morning, I had an appointment to go to the laboratory for some blood work.  There I met two amiable ladies who took care of things in an orderly, professional, and pleasant way. When the appointment was over, I, without appointment, went next door to the doctor’s office. Again, in that office, I was met by a staff composed of wonderful people. Without an appointment, I sat down to wait and wait to see the doctor. And I waited almost a minute until a door open, and I was called.

After a warm greeting, I was diagnosed, some medicine dosages were changed, and new medications were prescribed. Then, I was sent back to the laboratory for a chest X-ray.

Since I had been there a few minutes earlier, the lady was surprised, but she took me to a room and took an X-ray. I started to rise to leave, but she placed her hand on shoulder and said, “May we have a prayer with you?” A little surprised, I said, “What did you say?” Again she said, “May we have a prayer with you?” And I responded, “I thought that was what you said! By all means, do so.” She called the other lady from the lab and, each of them placing a hand on my shoulders, prayed sincerely with gratitude, petition, and assurance.  When they said, “Amen,” I rose and thanked them sincerely.

I left that office to face a brighter and more beautiful day with the confident assurance that through the knowledge of a good doctor, the healing power of medicine, the encouragement of good friends, and the power of prayer life can be better.