True healing

It was his third surgery in the span of a few weeks. Each surgery a concession to the progressing infection and necrosis of his foot, it can be easy to interpret the process as defeat, or a failed attempt to save his foot from amputation. He was a fist-bumper, and as he was being rolled through the hallway after recovery from his amputation he extended his fist to me for a bump. Thankful for what I interpreted as an extended olive branch I stepped up to his stretcher to connect with him.

Fist-bump completed he excitedly told me he had given his life to Jesus. Caught completely off guard, I asked him to repeat. So excited he was, the words came even faster as he repeated his new-found true source of love, hope and salvation. The disappointment I had anticipated was not present anywhere; replaced by shining eyes and a smile.

I've mulled over this interaction many times since it happened. It is a prime example of why we are here. But I'm almost ashamed at how it simultaneously demonstrates for me how easily I can forget that bigger picture. In our day to day, we work to heal physically; but that is only what brings the people to us for access to the source of healing that heals eternally, Jesus. Even when I have "failed" in providing the desired physical healing... that was never the purpose or the point in the first place. Demonstrating love to each patient in every action providing a source for eternal healing, for Living Water, is why we are here.

We work as a team at Hospital of Loma de Luz, extending compassion to each patient starting with the nurses, the docs, to myself, and the Chaplain, and everyone in between. Furthering His Kingdom one patient at a time.

Much Love.