Divine Physician

Divine Physician

I’ve been sick. Bronchitis with significant fever. I like the way the Doctor put it. “Significant” fever. I like to use it when I tell people about my illness because it provokes more sympathy. I like lots of sympathy and love when I don’t feel well. I admit it. Love is the greatest healer to be found.

I rarely call the doctor for a cold or whatever, but because my fever was so high I knew something wrong. Him and I have been seeing the same Family Practitioner for the past 10-12 years. We both have a great relationship with him. Dr. J (not his real name) is a wonderful Doctor. He has called us at home on weekends before with results of tests or whatever. Which is rare these days, particularly for us poor folks. So when I started feeling bad I called to see if I could get an appointment with him. Dr J’s appointment book was full and his nurse asked me if I would see his new partner. I said of course.

Now , there are times, when I really would rather see Dr J. instead of his partner. For certain things I only want to see Dr J. He knows me, he knows the details of my medical history. He knows how I respond to his instructions. He knows I don’t like to take pills, I’m not a complainer, etc. etc. So if I ask to be worked in when his book is full, he typically works me in. Based on our relationship over so many years, he trusts that I only ask this when I really need it.

Dr. J will retire in a few years, and move to Costa Rica or somewhere I wont be able to see him. At that point I will see his partner on a regular basis. Not that his partner is not worthy or good, but while Dr. J is still in practice I want to be his patient.

This bronchitis took me by surprise right at the beginning of Lent. Forced me into some Lenten behaviors like fasting (clear liquid diet) and prayers (help me Lord) and almsgiving (giving “alms” in the form of rest to myself so I could be healed).

Life is short. Life throws us curveballs all the time. Why are we hard on each other? Why do we judge people, reject them, talk bad about them to others? We are all so tender.

My Lenten discipline is to do as Erin wrote in her last post, "God as being Love is the filter through which everything I know about God must pass, or it is decidedly not God." Use the filter of Love to hold up to every situation I encounter, to offer Love to everyone even if it can only be expressed in my heart.

Peace
Keren