Hospital Lessons
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a few lessons.
I should say they are ‘hospital’ lessons. They were written by my friend John Coulombe when, back in 2006, he was lying in a hospital bed in room 387 at St. Jude’s Hospital. John was battling cancer. It was a lengthy stay and one night when he could not sleep, John spent precious time reviewing his outlook on life and death. When he woke up the next morning, he decided to write down his musings. When I read them, I thought they were worth passing on to you for that time when, who knows, you may be in a hospital or a care facility for a lengthy stay.
The first thing John wrote down (I’ve got the list here so let me read it to you). It says: God is in control, and I am not. So trust in the Lord with all my heart. God’s got it all in His hands. Secondly, God is not in a hurry, but I am. Look, I am a patient; so John be patient, slow down. The next thing John wrote: Matthew, Chapter 6 says today’s trouble are enough for one day, so I’m going to center my heart on the Lord rather than on my own broken-down heart. I’m going to focus on Jesus because Colossians, Chapter 3 says to set my mind and my heart on things above.
Another thing John wrote down: In the hospital there are always people worse than me, so I’m going to pray for them. I’m going to reach out with the Word if I can. Like the man dying a few rooms up and people groaning and crying out in the night with pain. I’m going to pray for those who are too weak to get out of bed. Romans, Chapter 12 says to be faithful in prayer, especially in a hospital. Another thing John wrote: The continuum of life is always present in a hospital. I hear Brahms lullaby in the hallways each time a baby is born. There are little groups of people singing “God Be with You till We Meet Again” and “I Come to the Garden”; they were singing in the rooms of their dying loved ones. So I’m going to celebrate both life and death – First Corinthians 15 assures me God has a new body in store for me; what hope that is!
And then John writes this: And of course, I’m going to be grateful for small things, like when you can go to the toilet unassisted. It’s like First Thessalonians, Chapter 5 says, “In everything give thanks, with joy.” Plus, I’m going to consider how good it is to have a life partner and friends who care, who sit quietly by my side, kiss me when I’m unlovely, sneak in treats and walk alongside me in the hallways in those embarrassing hospital gowns. Never take friendship for granted. Second Corinthians, Chapter 7 says that friends have a room in our hearts.
And one more insight from John; Hospital gowns are like insurance policies, neither covers me as well as I think. Long hospital stays are a good time to make preparations to pull together; the papers, the will, the photos; the details of our lives, both for here and for the life to come. This hospital reminded me; is there anyone I need to forgive? Anyone with whom I should make things right? And finally, no matter how inept hospital personnel can be, hey, I could be in Nigeria. Philippians Chapter 4 reminds me to be grateful for what I have.
Wow! There are a few more hospital lessons that my pastor friend has written down, but there’s not time enough to share them all. If you’d like the whole list, you can download these insights at Joniradio.org. Just ask for “John’s Hospital Lessons.” And while you’re there, ask for a free copy of “God’s Hand in Hardships.” It’s a collection of more insights to encourage you on through that l-o-n-g stay in the hospital. It’s all there for you at Joniradio.org. Oh, and by the way, if you have a prayer request let me know on our radio page and our Joni and Friends staff will lift up your need before the Lord. God bless you today and thanks for listening to Joni and Friends.
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