You Don’t Have To Settle For Second Best!

My sister came to visit us after 13 years. It was a very exciting and joyful time for us all. She had immigrated with her family and we missed them very much. So, no expenses were spared for her visit during the Christmas season. We made a list of all the extended family members to invite to the welcome home party. We tried to buy all the food she liked to eat and didn’t get in her country. We even hired a professional cook. There was so much excitement.

Well, it was a very blessed time and we shared old-time family stories and laughed a lot. All too soon the time was up and she had to leave. We were happy to see her again but sad to see her leave. We were truly blessed and will treasure those fond memories.

The next week I came down with a heavy flu and my chest was sore. I went to the doctor who ruled out bronchitis. Instead, he was concerned about something else and referred me to his colleague. I was asked to do a stress test, ECG, etc. To all the possible symptoms they suspected, I said I experienced none on them. Nevertheless, I was scheduled for an angiogram.

It was a quick and not too painful procedure as they did it through my hand. I was fully conscious and although I couldn’t see what the medical team was doing, I could hear them. Then the doctor spoke directly to me and said, “Wow, we picked up an issue here. You have a blockage in the main artery to your heart.”

I didn’t think I was ill as I had no symptoms of a heart condition. Nobody in my family died of heart conditions. Now, what is this news that I’m hearing from the doctor? I said to God, “Lord, you are my Heavenly Father and you know me better than I know myself. You created me and know what is going on inside my body.”

Since I was just going in for a check up and not surgery, my family were not with me. I was given two options; one is to go for a bypass and two is to put in a stent. I chose to put in a stent. I was already in theatre and the medical team were all around my bed, so I decided they can go ahead and put the stent in. About one hour later, I was all done and in the recovery ward. Praise God for perfect timing! What a shock my family got when they heard the news.

When I saw my doctor again, he said to me that I am a miracle. I could have died of a heart attack and not known that I had the condition. The fast thinking of the doctors saved me from what could have been a tragic end. Well, I believe Father God was looking after me and He knew what He wanted out of my life. He saved my life twice over and there are not enough words to say how thankful and indebted I feel to our Heavenly Father who wants us to shine our light brightly in this dark world.

Psalm 37:23-24 NKJ reassures us with these words: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.” I trust this story has given you hope, comfort and peace, knowing that we don’t need to do battles alone. God is always on our side. Our part is to reach out to Him.

https://biblehub.com/context/psalms/37-23.htm

Michael S. + LPR

Courtesy: Unsplash Image