 |
 1/12/98 Good morning.... +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ As the hand of man reaches outward, the Hand of God reaches downward. +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ +†+ .....Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40 A friend of my son's came over for lunch on Christmas eve day. My son pulled me aside and said "Mom, could you look at Jesse's ear?". I said, "Yes," and went to look. Jesse had an infected pierced ear. This was no small infection, but a red hot area from ear lobe to lower jaw on the right side of Jesse's face, with an open area which was inflamed and weeping with drainage. I took the boy home and discussed the boys infection with his mother. I suggested that it would be really good if Jesse could go to the doctor and be seen, but until then suggested warm moist soaks, and keeping the infected area clean, and also that they should be applying antibiotic ointment to the open area. Jesse's mother told me that she was not going to take Jesse to the doctor. She had no medical insurance, and they had no money to cover the visit. I left Jesse's home feeling downhearted because I knew he needed to get to a doctor, immediately. I knew that this would be expensive because they would need to go to an urgent care, on Christmas eve. The clinic was closed. I started making phone calls when I got home. First I called the hospital to see if there was any funding for people who had no money to cover medical bills. Nothing was available. I then tried reaching the clinic's emergency line to see if I could contact a doctor to talk him into seeing Jesse who of course, is a minor. I was unable to do this. I started wracking my brains trying to think of what to try next. I decided to try calling the principal of the school, that Jesse is attending. The principal was home! He personally answered the phone. I explained the dilemma. The principal told me that the school actually did have a fund for emergency health care, for it's students. He was a little reluctant to say Jesse could go to the doctor on Christmas eve, because of the cost of going to urgent care, but finally did agree to do it. Everything rested on my assessment of this boy, as a registered nurse; and that this principal had faith in my judgement that Jesse needed to be seen by a doctor immediately. I called Jesse's mom and told her to take Jesse to urgent care, because I had found funding for her to take her son to see a doctor. They went. Today I talked with Jesse. His ear needed to be incised and drained. He was dehydrated and had needed IV fluids and he also was but on antibiotics to take by mouth in addition to the ointment he was to put on his ear. Jesse is feeling a little better and the swelling and inflammation is going down a bit. I am not a real religious person, but I truly felt that God was watching over Jesse. The situation was in His hands. There was such a slim chance of finding any funding for an urgent care visit on a Christmas eve after all. It was truly a Christmas Miracle! --- Gretchen Diffendorfer (RANFER@speagle.com) -=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=- The will of God is either a burden we can carry or a power that carries us. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:39 Lord, show me Your will today, I am happy
to go Your way. -=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=- THIS MOMENT I may never see tomorrow: there's no
written guarantee, John 15:12-13 -=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=-.-=*=- Good Morning Precious Brethren!! I'd like to start off the week with a hearty "God Bless You!", to each and every one of you! Jesus has so much love for you! The above story is true..and I would very much like to address some things in it... Gretchen's experience reminds me of the "Good Samaritan". Jesus told that story when someone posed the question...."And who is my neighbor?" If you are not familiar with this passage, I encourage you to go to the Book of Luke, Chapter 10:25-37. It is an excellent read...with a "nugget" of a lesson. I wonder how many people noticed Jesse's ear before Gretchen and her son...but did not do or say anything. That would represent the priest and the Levite in the parable...that walked by the man who was robbed and beaten. The Samaritan came along and "did something". He took action. He helped the man..and he went the extra mile to do it. Oswald Chambers once said, "There are unemployables in the spiritual domain, spiritually decrepit people, who refuse to do anything unless they are supernaturally inspired. The proof that we are rightly related to God is that we do our best whether we feel inspired or not." Gretchen stated that she is not a "real religious person." I noticed it was the religious ones that left the man by the side of the road. I also noticed that Gretchen realized and acknowledged God's Hand in this situation. Hats off to this 'Good Samaritan' and her son. My prayer is that Christ will continue to reveal Himself to them, as they continue to minister to those who are on the road to Jericho. As Mark 12:34 states: Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. I love you all...and pray that your week is truly blessed! In Christ!!
Graphics, design & hosting by: Free Sites for School Bible Clubs ionanet home | About | Awards | Contents | Rings | Services Author: Carol Skipper. |
