FOODFORTHOUGHT

The surgeon sat beside the boy's bed; the boy's parents sat across
from him. "Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began, "I'll open up your
heart..."

"You'll find Jesus there," the boy interrupted.

The surgeon looked up, annoyed. "I'll cut your heart open," he
continued, "to see how much damage has been done..."

"But when you open up my heart, you'll find Jesus in there." The
surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly.

"When I see how much damage has been done, I'll sew your heart and
chest back up and I'll plan what to do next."

"But you'll find Jesus in my heart. The Bible says He lives there. The
hymns all say He lives there. You'll find Him in my heart."

The surgeon had had enough. "I'll tell you what I'll find in your
heart. I'll find damaged muscle, low blood supply, and weakened vessels. And
I'll find out if I can make you well."

"You'll find Jesus there too. He lives there."

The surgeon left. The surgeon sat in his office, recording his notes
from the surgery: "...damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein,
widespread muscle degeneration. No hope for transplant, no hope for cure.
Therapy: painkillers and bed rest. Prognosis:" here he paused, "death within one
year."

He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said. "Why?" he asked
aloud.

"Why did You do this? You've put him here; You've put him in this
pain; and You've cursed him to an early death. Why?" The Lord answered and
said, "The boy, My lamb, was not meant for your flock for long, for he
is a part of My flock, and will forever be. Here, in My flock, he will
feel no pain, and will be comforted as you cannot imagine. His parents
will one day join him here, and they will know peace, and My flock will
continue to grow."

The surgeon's tears were hot, but his anger was hotter. "You created
that boy, and You created that heart. He'll be dead in months. Why?"

The Lord answered,

"The boy, My lamb, shall return to My flock, for he has done his duty:
I
did not put My lamb with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve
another lost lamb."

The surgeon wept.

The surgeon sat beside the boy's bed; the boy's parents sat across from
him. The boy awoke and whispered, "Did you cut open my heart?"

"Yes," said the surgeon.

"What did you find?" asked the boy.

"I found Jesus there," said the surgeon.

PRAYER
"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury let me sow pardon. Where there is doubt let me sow faith. Where there is despair let me give hope. Where there is darkness let me give light. Where there is sadness let me give joy." (Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi)

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