Surgery

Well, there is no sermon material for this week because I have been in quite a different position this week. I have been in the hospital and had some surgery. The surgery was to correct a condition that I have had for several years, so I should soon begin to be in better health than before. But that is not the subject of my thoughts this morning.

I am sure that there are plenty of folks who want to know the "gory" details, so to speak, but they really aren't important. What I experienced though was important to me. What I have experienced was so much care and concern from people whom I never met before and probably will never meet again.

This morning, I saw Diane Sawyer on television as she was accosted in Iran by people shouting "death to America," only to be kissed on the cheek by a woman from the crowd. In a strange place, she experienced people who hated her culture but not her. As I watched her, I thought about my experience with strangers. I gave my body over to them to care for. I trusted them to do their jobs well so that I could have improved health. I don't know anything at all about the people who cared for me. There were people from all backgrounds and except for my friends and my doctor, I don't know the religion of any of those folks at all. Yet, every one of them took care of me as if I were their father, brother, friend.

My thoughts were that we can all get along, if we would see others as individuals who need friends and help. The problem is that our political ideals and policies get in the way. Now this isn't a blog against any governmental position, but one to say that our positions do count. Our ideas and our policies affect real people in the world where they live.

I am grateful that there are folks who didn't care if I was a Methodist or what I was at all. They only cared that I was a person who needed their help. I am also grateful to be surrounded by a wife who loves me and by friends and church members who care so very much too. I look forward to getting back to work and leading the church again as we try to learn how to care for individuals regardless of where they come from. As Jesus taught us, the rules we have and the teachings we have received from God are for us to help each other become better. God does love us and loves others.

Come by sometime, let's talk about it. Allen