A Thankful Heart

The doctors said I could have died had I not gone in to the hospital when I did. I was standing in Church this past Sunday morning worshipping the Lord when the symptoms began. They were almost imperceptible at first, but then there was a noticeable increase that "leveled off" quickly, so I thought it was just a passing fluke. But the symptoms continued, just sort of hanging around. I knew then I should go home. You always feel better at home, right? Not this time.

Someone took me home, my family called 911, and soon I was in the emergency room. Between Sunday noon and late afternoon on Tuesday, my life changed significantly. I now have Coronary Artery Disease with a stent in the main aorta because it was 75-80% blocked. This is the one doctors refer to as "the widow maker." But, Carolyn and I believe God "sent His word and healed me, snatching me from the door of death." (Psalm 107:20)

Although my father died of heart disease, I thought it wouldn't happen to me because my annual physical exams for the past 25 years have demonstrated "strong as a horse" health reports. The cardiologist suggested that my physical and psychological make up is such that the symptoms I do experience don't always demonstrate the severity of what my body is really experiencing. Therefore, I like many others who appear to be very healthy, sometimes die suddenly. The usual response is something like,"wow, he/she was so healthy, how could it be they died like that." It's definitely something to think about.

A lot of thoughts were discussed with my wife and sons during that surreal time-warp vacuum from Sunday through Tuesday. Even more prayers were prayed as we sought to understand God's desire for the future of each of our lives. This kind of experience tends to turn our thoughts to more eternal and meaningful use of our lives from now on. It evokes some serious thinking about how to spend the rest of your life. So far, I am coming out of this experience with 3 take aways: 1) the thought about my symptoms not letting me know how potentially dangerous my condition really is has both spiritual and physical application to my life. It raises the level of my awareness of the internal, as well as the external needs in me that require me to make immediate changes for my on-going well-being with God and those around me, 2) these unusual days have been a strong confirmation of God's great favor and love to our family. He does respond to our cries for help, and 3) "Make thanksgiving the sacrifice of your life."(Psalm 50:14) It's not normal to praise God in the middle of difficult circumstances, but when we do thank Him for Who He is to us in those stressed-out times, He enjoys honoring our cries for help in time of need.

I do have a thankful heart!