THEN THERE ARE THESE MOMENTS…

(Some of you may recall that I had been waiting for months to meet with an orthopedic surgeon for a hip replacement. I have so appreciated your prayers and good wishes!)

I finally met with Dr. C., the orthopedic surgeon who will replace my hip. He is gracious, kind, and capable, so I have every confidence in him and this surgery. When he asked if I had a time frame in mind, I requested to have the surgery done before the end of June, if possible. I explained that Jim would then be home on summer break to help me, and our expenses could be included with our current deductible.

Dr. C. then frowned, shook his head, and said, “We are probably looking at six months.” He explained that they had lost two doctors in our area and have been absorbing their patients, but he did offer to add me to the cancelation list. I understood, but I was disappointed–perhaps devastated. I immediately began looking to God for the patience and stamina I would need.

But as he was finishing our conversation, Dr. C. looked at his cell phone and typed a few words. He then said he had received a notification of a cancelation–and he had given the surgery scheduler my name. If the opening had not yet been filled, I would hear from her by the end of the week. A small sob rose in my throat.

And as I walked to my car, I pulled out my phone to text Jim, and found the scheduler already calling! My surgery will be on May 21st. When she heard my grateful and giddy excitement, the scheduler laughed; Dr. C. had told her she would make my day. Oh my, she did! In a matter of moments, so much had changed.

I consider God as Infinite Love, whose presence does not orchestrate life but goes with us through every joy and sorrow. But then I have incredible moments like these, and I wonder if God is indeed arranging small miracles. As I contemplated this in my journal the next day, I sensed God saying…

It is important for you to recognize my loving presence in all of life; to know that I would have helped you cope with the waiting, shared your disappointment, and revealed new insights for this time. But in whatever way this came to be, isn’t it a gift to be thankful? To feel Infinite Love? To believe I arranged a tiny miracle–bringing goodness from this cancelation? To wonder if life is more than it appears to be? To allow for holy mystery?

Oh my, yes, God–what a gift!

(Photo by Karen)