A Man Fainted

Here’s what I love: A man fainted in church.

This past Sunday Bill and I were sitting in church.  The pastor was just beginning his sermon when all of a sudden, a group of people near the front left of the sanctuary jumped to their feet and began hollering.  Someone exchanged words with the pastor who was, of course, giving his attention to the commotion. 

“Is there a doctor in the room today?”  The pastor echoed one of the parishioners cries. 

My own doctor-husband leaned forward in his seat.  He is a pediatric intensivist.  This means, he works with CHILDREN in the ICU.  We both figured there was sure to be a better-suited physician in the congregation for an emergency such as this.

However, a few seconds ticked past and no one went forward.  Then, a cry from the crowd seemed to fly directly at us.  “We need a doctor down here!”

Bill may not have seen the man’s frantic face as his eyes searched the crowd, but I did.  And we both knew that Bill’s extensive training qualified him to attempt assistance. 

My heart was beating fast as I saw Bill take off in a slight jog towards the front of the church. 

Unexpected emotion caused me to choke back a few tears.  I was so proud of Bill, so prayerful for the person in distress.

Funnily enough, every doctor in the room was compelled out of their seats by that last fretful cry of a fellow-church member.  By the time Bill reached the other aisle, the crowd of doctors was so thick, he couldn’t even see the man in need of aid.

Fortunately, the gentleman who fainted was not in any serious danger.  I surmised he may have passed out because he was wearing a turtle neck and a sports coat and the heat was making the sanctuary quite warm. 

In any case, the whole ordeal only lasted a few minutes and all the doctors went back to their seats.  The rest of the sermon continued without incident.

This event got me thinking. 

When he was running to save the day, my pride for Bill soared!  When he returned having done nothing, I was not even a little disappointed.  Why?  Because it was his going that made me so proud. 

We all have different abilities.  God has gifted us with various talents.  Our experiences have trained us to be a help to someone who might be facing the same thing.  

Abilities, talents, training—are these only for our benefit? Nope, God calls us to use those abilities to serve others.  Most of all, he calls us to action. 

Go.  

There might be times when those with similar training and abilities are already there.  I feel that way in regards to this blog.  There seem to be a million excellent Christian-Mom blogs out there.  I feel like one blade of grass in an endless field of “Best Thought” blogs.  And yet, here I sit pecking away at my computer. 

Why?  Two reasons.

First of all, I enjoy it.  I love writing.  Composing one post a week is my self-imposed deadline, which gives me sufficient motivation to creatively compile an account of something that is on my heart at the time.

The other reason I keep blogging in a field of bloggers is because God said “go.”  “Teach, train, share, give, encourage.”  I feel like God has encouraged me and has given me countless experiences of His faithfulness.  I hope to share this hope and joy with you. 

Sure, there will be times when other bloggers will get there before me.  You will have already read a witty story or an encouraging word on-line for the day.  Like Bill craning his neck to see over all the other docs who rushed to the front of the church on Sunday, I’ll rub elbows with other writers who have answered the call to pen on-line edification for your reading enjoyment. 

Bill returned to his seat knowing he had been obedient to the call. 

My writing may not touch a single person, and yet, I’ll close my computer knowing I have been obedient. 

I know many of you out there have incredible talents and abilities.  Perhaps you don’t know what to do with them—how to share or serve others with them.  But you don’t have to be a doctor or a writer to make a difference. 

Your photography may not be sold in a gallery, but it will bring light and beauty to someone’s day. 

You may not be a professional counselor, but your comforting touch can speak volumes.

You may be a barista instead of a musician, but your jokes and your smiles for your customers can be as memorable as a song.

You may not have showered or gotten dressed today, but the arms that have cradled your baby all day are bringing unseen wellness to your child’s beating heart.

You may be feeling inadequate at work—like you’re not making a difference, but when you held the door open for that woman this morning, you turned her entire day around. 

You may be a teacher who thinks your kids aren’t listening.  But, tonight, one of them recounted a portion of your science lesson to his parents at the dinner table…it was all the gross parts, but still, he was listening. 

So, keep teaching, keep taking pictures, keep cradling, keep working, keep hugging, keep smiling, keep singing, keep joking, keep training, keep sharing, keep writing…

KEEP GOING.  Because, the beauty is in the going.  God will do the rest.