Unexpected Miracles ...

[PeterJames0510]

"Why do you think I don't love you?" The phrase kept rolling through his mind. The dreams of the previous night were a little sketchy; but he thought he was hearing the Lord's voice. He probably was just crazy because his staunch conservative church would never teach that God could talk through dreams.

But the question continued to haunt him. He wondered what it meant; he did not actively think God hated him. He looked out the window, waiting for the town cabulance to come and take him to his appointment. He was grateful they were available this morning, since this was a last minute request. Scott believed this last visit was going to be it; his breathing seemed to keep getting worse. Perhaps Doctor May would be there; he tried his best to be a witness to her. But to be frank, his rather crude manner seemed to only grow worse the past few visits.

He wondered if he should call Heather; this could be the last time he would have the opportunity to talk with her and Kyle. Maybe if he had been a better man, he would have married her. But he wasn't good enough; and his temper ...

Soon, the cabulance had picked him up and he looked out the window, looking at the rolling hills of the landscape. This would probably be the last time he would look at it. He was feeling weak; he might have to ask a nurse at the hospital to make that final phone call for him.

"I'm sorry for all my sins" Scott said to himself. He knew what the common teaching was; just because you were sick didn't mean you sinned. But people didn't know him and his sins; he may very well had gotten God mad ... and now he was justly paying for it. He didn't know.

He prayed God would have mercy on his soul ...

 

[Mayflower1]

Lori sat in a rocking chair with one child propped up gently in her lap, and several other eager eyes on her, as she continued with her story.

""Today's story is from John 4!

In Capernaum there was a man who was an official, someone who worked for the king. When this official heard that Jesus was in Cana he left as quickly as he could. This man needed Jesus’ help. His son had gotten sick and no one was able to help him get better. Actually instead of getting better he was getting worse. He was so sick he was going to die. The official needed a miracle if his son was going to live!

When the official arrives in Cana he finds Jesus and says, “Please come home with me and heal my son, he is dying.” Jesus looks at the man and says, “Unless people see signs and wonders they will not believe.” Jesus wanted to help people but He knew there was a bigger purpose to why He had come to this earth. He had come to this earth to offer eternal life to all who believe that He is Messiah.

The official was desperate and said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”

Let’s read what Jesus says in John 4:50: Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. (ESV) The NIV translation says, “The man took Jesus at His Word and departed.”

This man believed. He took Jesus at His Word. What did he believe? His son would live. This man had faith that Jesus would do what He said He would do.

The man travelled back to his home in Capernaum. When he was almost home his servants met him and told him that his son was getting better. “When did he start getting better?” the man asked. The servants said, “Yesterday at 1:00 in the afternoon his fever left him.”

The little boy with huge round eyes looked up at her with wonder. "So Jesus did it? Do you think Jesus can heal us too?"

Lori looked at him and caught sight of her mother walking into the room in the back.

"Well...I believe that miracles are real and that God is able to heal. For one reason or another it doesn't always happen that way..."

"B-but if we believe God can heal really hard, do you think he would?"

Lori smiled. "If Jesus was willing to heal this man's son, I think He would." The boy looked excited, and the other kids gave happy smiles.

"One thing I know for sure. God loves you all very much. Even for a bunch of wild monkeys." The kids laughed.

May cut in. "Okay monkeys. Back to your beds. Lori here has some homework to do in the break room, and you all have a busy morning ahead. The kids objected, but Lori grabbed her backpack and hugged them all, helping them to their beds.

May walked Lori down to the break room.

"I am so glad you are reading to these kids. But I wish you wouldn't put in their minds hope of a miracle healing."

"They ask tough questions, mom." Lori said with a frown. "Don't you believe what the Bible says?"

May frowned. Another of her daughter's hard questions. "Yes and no. That was then, this is now." She said. She looked at her watch. "But anyhow, I have an appointment I have to go to, but then I should be able to take you home if you want to go. Here is some money for dinner, and you can finish your homework."

Lori nodded, giving a small glance down, before giving her mother a hug. "Love you, mom. See you in a bit."

 

[PeterJames0510]

“We need to talk about DNR.” Scott reacted negatively. “DNR? You mean do not resuscitate?”

The nurse was gently talking with him. “Well just in case. You know in case we have to put a trachea in … well you know. It being toward the end; but that might not happen. I mean, maybe the doctor can try other treatments?”

Scott annoyingly answered, “No more treatments. I’ve been through enough of them.” Scott didn’t know what to say or do next. “Wouldn’t it be wrong for me not to resuscitate?” The nurse responded confidently, “Actually, many faiths say that if there is absolutely no hope, then DNR is acceptable. For most cancer patients, they are so weak and frail … you know, if we resuscitate, all we’re doing is breaking their bones or their lungs and prolonging agony.”

Scott interrupted. “Where is May? There’s so much I’ve got to tell her; I …” The nurse stopped him. “I don’t know where she is; once we talk about a few things, we can admit you.”

“No” Scott said in turn. “No, I want her here while you’re talking to me. She’s the only one … well, she’s the only one who listens and understands. She’s seen a million of me. I … I really don’t have anyone except God, and I think He’s mad at me right now. I want … well … I want her, or her daughter with me … you know … when it’s time … I mean they don’t have to be right there, I can tell them when to leave and stuff. But …” He gasped for air and began coughing again.

The nurse was somewhat exasperated and unsure what to do. She was about to get up from the waiting room when Scott said, “No. I’m sure Doctor will be here soon. Please. Stay with me … I’m … I’m scared …”

The nurse began to get flustered. She exclaimed out loud, “I don’t know what you want me to do!”

Scott reached into his pants pocket and pulled out his pocket Bible. “Please … read to me Psalm 23. Maybe God won’t be so mad at me.” He bowed his head gently. The nurse hesitated; she wasn’t supposed to bring up religion in the work place. But in this case, the patient requested it. So …

 

[Mayflower1]

Dr. Mcknight walked in. May in doctor form. She gave a small smirk when she saw the pocket Bible. She knew Scott all too well.

"It is okay, Lily. Thank you. I will take it from here."

As if saved by the bell, the nurse breezed by relieved, thankful that she wouldn't be in the hard position of being caught saying "God" in the workplace.

May took the pocket Bible where it had been bookmarked at Psalm 23. "If you want someone to read to you, I'll send up my daughter sometime. I have told you before, Scott...hospital chapel is down the hall. Hospital staff can get into big trouble outside of there." She placed the pocket Bible on the bed beside him and looked at the nurse's notes about his concerns with "DNR." She sighed heavily and looked at the grim results of his latest MRIs. A week left? Maybe two with great care.

 

[PeterJames0510]

Scott wheezed and held on to his chest for a moment. Was he out of shape, he felt a little pain. "And I've told you before" he said coughing. "If God stayed in stained glass houses, how's anyone supposed to know to go and visit him? I've heard Psalm 23 many times ... the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want ... funny. I never knew what it means to walk through the valley of the Shadow of death, until this past month."

He opened up the pocket Bible to Psalm 23 and handed it to her. "Did you ever wonder? How can God have both a rod and a staff? Maybe he uses His rod when he's mad at me; maybe he uses his staff when he's okay with me. I pray he uses the staff ... you know ... when it's time to see him. Don't you ever wonder what you'd say to God when you see Him? ... well, I'm gonna see him before you. Is there a message to Him you'd like me to bring?"

 

[Mayflower1]

Scott wheezed and held on to his chest for a moment. Was he out of shape, he felt a little pain. "And I've told you before" he said coughing. "If God stayed in stained glass houses, how's anyone supposed to know to go and visit him? I've heard Psalm 23 many times ... the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want ... funny. I never knew what it means to walk through the valley of the Shadow of death, until this past month."

He opened up the pocket Bible to Psalm 23 and handed it to her. "Did you ever wonder? How can God have both a rod and a staff? Maybe he uses His rod when he's made at me; maybe he uses his staff when he's okay with me. I pray he uses the staff ... you know ... when it's time to see him. Don't you ever wonder what you'd say to God when you see Him? ... well, I'm gonna see him before you. Is there a message to Him you'd like me to bring?"

"Well, unlike me, not everyone is willing to take that risk. Stained glass windows are a saftey net for nurses like Lily. Just keep it in mind." May said.

May pulled up a high stool and sat next to the hospital bed. No use checking him anymore. He was a dead man walking. She was unsure how to break the news, but from his comments, she figured he already knew.

"Ive skimmed through Psalm 23. Heard my husband tell it to my daughter before. I don't know what Id say, but if you happen to see God, tell Him to send me a sign. Anything....He will know what I mean."

Dr. Mcknight stood and put her hand on his, changing the subject abruptly. "Do you have anyone here with you today? I have some news for you and don't think you should be alone for this."

 

[PeterJames0510]

His heart sank full, a frown on his face. To hear the words were a poison to his disposition. He was not taken aback, he had known all along this was the final ride. "When you're standing on the edge of death, it doesn't really matter if people get mad that you've given God permission to leave His stained glass house." He shook his head though, knowing what the news is. "You don't need to tell me the news, I can spare you the uncomfortable feeling. I ... " But the words wouldn't come to him.

Closing his eyes, he did his best to hold back the tears. "I don't know if I'll see Duncan before I go; his mother is at a loss at what to do with me. She doesn't think he should see me like this. I'm afraid to tell you, Dr. May ... I'm going to be alone when I die. Maybe your daughter could ... no, no. Sorry, not a pleasant thought. Maybe ... maybe I should just go home and die. At least Jesus will be with me."

He got up and walked around nervously. "I'm not ready ... I ... I need to go and pray to God ... " He paused and turned, giving a slight smirk ... as much as he could ...

"You know, to God ... who lives in stained glass houses." He gave a wink; perhaps his last witty saying.

 

[Mayflower1]

"Good ole Scott, funny to the end." She said with a somber smile. "But really, Scott...if you are going to be alone, Id much rather you stay here. We could make you more comfortable with the pain, and you would be among friends..."

It was an awfully sad thought of nurses and doctors being Scott's only friends, but that was the reality of quite a few. As for Lori, she would leave that up to her whether she would visit or not. But she knew her daughter was very mature and sensitive to others' needs for her age.

"I am very sorry, Scott." She said. "Just...let me know. We can get a room set up for you to stay."

----------

Meanwhile, Lori closed her history book and put her hand on her forehead. It wasn't her favorite subject, and a babbling hospital cafeteria wasn't the ideal place to study. She got a pepsi out of the coke machine and walked down the hall with her backpack. Seeing the chapel, she threw her drink away and went inside. Looking at the stained glass and cross in front of her, she sat down on the front pew and pulled out her note cards from her class. "This is more like it." She thought to herself. Thanks God."

 

[PeterJames0510]

Slowly slipping into the end of a pew in the middle of the chapel, Scott knelt down. But it wasn't so much for spiritual reasons; the walk to the chapel had been tiring. He bowed his head with the pocket Bible opened up in front of him. He began silently praying to himself. He had noticed Lori at the front of the pew; sometimes he wished she were his daughter. She had a lot of faith. But he also realized that he had a son and should not covet other people's children. Still, he wondered why Doc May was not as fervent for Christ as her daughter. Hah! Who was he kidding; he wasn't so hot when it came to God himself. But still, he continued his prayers which were the only things that kept him somewhat sane.

He continued praying for himself, closing his eyes. He began to see a lot of stars in front of him. His head began to pound with a headache before going somewhat silent in the darkness. He hadn't realized his body had slumped out of the pew and onto the ground ...

 

[Mayflower1]

Slowly slipping into the end of a pew in the middle of the chapel, Scott knelt down. But it wasn't so much for spiritual reasons; the walk to the chapel had been tiring. He bowed his head with the pocket Bible opened up in front of him. He began silently praying to himself. He had noticed Lori at the front of the pew; sometimes he wished she were his daughter. She had a lot of faith. But he also realized that he had a son and should not covet other people's children. Still, he wondered why Doc May was not as fervent for Christ as her daughter. Hah! Who was he kidding; he wasn't so hot when it came to God himself. But still, he continued his prayers which were the only things that kept him somewhat sane.

He continued praying for himself, closing his eyes. He began to see a lot of stars in front of him. His head began to pound with a headache before going somewhat silent in the darkness. He hadn't realized his body had slumped out of the pew and onto the ground ...

Lori put her note cards down amd went over to where Scott was at. "Are you okay, Mr. Scott?" From her small bit of medical experience, to her it looked like he passed out from exhaustion. She felt his pulse to make sure and took out her cellphone.

"Hey mom, I am in the chapel. Mr. Scott passed out here...yes, I checked his pulse...okay. See you in a second." She hung up, and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Father, thank You for Mr. Scott. I pray you let him have a nice rest and as I always pray, if you are willing, please heal him from his cancer. Thank You for being a Great Physician and a kind and gentle shepherd. For leading us beside still waters and restoring our souls. In Jesus Name, Amen."

 

[Mayflower1]

Mayflower shook her head at her daughter's call. The poor man was at the last of his days. She called for a hospital bed and stretcher and called in a room to be prepared for him. She couldn't release him home now.

 

[PeterJames0510]

Scott began experiencing random dreams and hallucinations. They did not really make sense to him. Once, he was in the upper room with Jesus and Jesus was washing his feet. Another time, he was in his house talking to Lori and she was explaining to him how she couldn't be his daughter but how God would take care of him. Still another, he saw Duncan crying. Another dream, Lori was consoling Heather, his ex girlfriend. He had felt horrible he never married Heather.

Then everything went black. Soon, accusing faces flashed in and flashed out. Some of them saying awful things. "You awful human being; you couldn't just keep your anger under control, could you? Stop wanting what's not yours; God hates you. How can God love you, you keep going back to him all messed up."

The voices taunted him more, making both his spirit and his physical body restless. One of the spirits said "Hell, that's what you deserve. You always crucify Jesus again and again with your pathetic sins. Now on the verge of death, hell is where you'll go." Laughing, mocking. Suddenly a prayer rose up in his heart. "Lord, help me. I'm sinking." Suddenly arising from the black ground was a ... he could hardly believe it. A cross, pushing through the ground and raising itself with Jesus crucified on it. The voices suddenly became frightened.

"What have we to do with you, you Son of David!" And they left ... a peace and a calm, a shiny crown on top of Jesus' head. Jesus looked at him and said "Why do you think I hate you so much?" His eyes full of tender mercies, His agony real, His love all the more. The vision started to fade, but left an impression on Scott. He began to mumble words under his breath until he completely awoke and said outloud, "I'm sorry Lord! I'm sorry."

But then he realized he was back in a hospital and there were no more strange occurrences except the surprise faces of onlookers.

 

[Mayflower1]

Scott began experiencing random dreams and hallucinations. They did not really make sense to him. Once, he was in the upper room with Jesus and Jesus was washing his feet. Another time, he was in his house talking to Lori and she was explaining to him how she couldn't be his daughter but how God would take care of him. Still another, he saw Duncan crying. Another dream, Lori was consoling Heather, his ex girlfriend. He had felt horrible he never married Heather.

Then everything went black. Soon, accusing faces flashed in and flashed out. Some of them saying awful things. "You awful human being; you couldn't just keep your anger under control, could you? Stop wanting what's not yours; God hates you. How can God love you, you keep going back to him all messed up."

The voices taunted him more, making both his spirit and his physical body restless. One of the spirits said "Hell, that's what you deserve. You always crucify Jesus again and again with your pathetic sins. Now on the verge of death, hell is where you'll go." Laughing, mocking. Suddenly a prayer rose up in his heart. "Lord, help me. I'm sinking." Suddenly arising from the black ground was a ... he could hardly believe it. A cross, pushing through the ground and raising itself with Jesus crucified on it. The voices suddenly became frightened.

"What have we to do with you, you Son of David!" And they left ... a peace and a calm, a shiny crown on top of Jesus' head. Jesus looked at him and said "Why do you think I hate you so much?" His eyes full of tender mercies, His agony real, His love all the more. The vision started to fade, but left an impression on Scott. He began to mumble words under his breath until he completely awoke and said outloud, "I'm sorry Lord! I'm sorry."

But then he realized he was back in a hospital and there were no more strange occurrences except the surprise faces of onlookers.

Lori yawned, waking up from her seat when she heard Scott. "Hey, mom, he is awake." Lori called out the door. She looked at her watch and saw she had been asleep for about an hour and a half. She was going to miss Bible study, but she had felt it on her heart to stay with Mr. Scott for awhile. She had dropped her note cards. She was looking at some scripture memory verses from the Psalms. She scopped them up and put thrm in her coat pocket.

"Hey Mr. Scott, take it easy. You passed out." Lori said. She smiled and grabbed his hand softly. "Mom is coming to check on you. Why were you telling God sorry?"

 

[PeterJames0510]

Breathing was getting a little heavier; he realized some wires were hooked up to him, maybe an IV. He heard a number of machines beeping and buzzing. He heard Lori and realized she must have been staying with him when he passed out. He looked around; his head hurt slightly. He looked outside, however, and saw that the sun had come out. For whatever reason, the trees and the outside world looked more vibrant than ever.

"Oh Lori; thank you for staying with me. But I know you've got much more important things to do; and I would never burden you with my problems and sorrows." He swallowed. It seemed to take extra strength.

"Still Lori; I'm happy to have your company for as many or as few minutes as you can afford."

 

[Mayflower1]

Breathing was getting a little heavier; he realized some wires were hooked up to him, maybe an IV. He heard a number of machines beeping and buzzing. He heard Lori and realized she must have been staying with him when he passed out. He looked around; his head hurt slightly. He looked outside, however, and saw that the sun had come out. For whatever reason, the trees and the outside world looked more vibrant than ever.

"Oh Lori; thank you for staying with me. But I know you've got much more important things to do; and I would never burden you with my problems and sorrows." He swallowed. It seemed to take extra strength.

"Still Lori; I'm happy to have your company for as many or as few minutes as you can afford."

"Oh it is fine. I was just studying. Sorry you are having a hard time." Lori said. "Think I might be sticking around until mom gets off tonight. Could be a late night. I can stay if you like."

Mayflower came in. "How are you doing, Scott?" Mayflower said. "I am afraid with you recently passing out, I cannot release you home alone..."