Today I had my yearly physical with my doctor and it went very well. Heart, lungs, BP, etc. all were good. I enjoy seeing my doctor; he is a good friend to boot! As the appointment ended I was sent to the lab for my yearly blood work--this too was expected just ask my grumbling stomach (I was fasting and had not eaten yet).
The young lady working the desk called me up to give blood. I went into the room and the normal small talk began. But then God walked into the room, sat down. . .
The young lady asked me, "What do you do for a living?"
"I am a preacher." I replied. Pausing I asked: "How can I help?" Her eyes widened.
Then she told me her story. It was unremarkable; it was not tragic. But in her story she faced a choice--a moment of discernment that she was struggling with and she wondered where is God in that moment? And in her moment she did not know what to do or even where to turn. She had some faith, but she said she talk like Job standing before God.
She asked me for a scripture and maybe (her words) a prayer. I offered her both.
Then she drew my blood.
We talked a bit more and I left and began the remainder of my day.
But walking to my car I wondered: how often do we follow up with a promised statement? She asked me to pray for her; it was clear that she needed prayer. Had I done that? Had I kept my word? Would I continue to pray for her later in the day when I thought about the morning and the events at the doctor's office?
Or would her need float away the further away from the office that I got?
That is a temptation that we all face. We know we should pray; we should care for others. We should serve them as Christ has served us. But do we follow through with this most simple act of Christian faith and practice?
So today, I wonder, will you pray for someone you do not know? Someone who does not know you?
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