Surprises that bless us

In our Book of Common Worship there is a prayer a part of which says, "We give you thanks, O Lord, for surprises that bless us.  I have always liked that part of the prayer ever since I first saw it in October of 1995.  Now we are living that prayer.

In general I don't care for surprises.

On Friday morning at 7:00 A.M. I took Will to the hospital to have a scheduled simple heart catherization.  Instead he ended up having a 4 bypass open heart surgery which ended at 6:00 P.M.  What a surprise! and, surprise within a surprise, - What a blessing!  He was an heart attack waiting to happen without feeling sick or any thing of the sort.  At the end of surgery the surgeon, Dr. Pollock, said to me that, "Will is healthy and his heart is healthy.  I don't find any damage in the heart.  I did 4 bypass as planned.  His recovery should be a smooth one and on schedule.  He should be much better once the recovery is over.  If he follows the instruction on how to eat and exercise he should never need another heart surgery." From that moment on all I could say to God has been, "Thank you Lord for this blessing by surprise."

Out of this experience, I may grow to like surprises.  Then again, maybe not.  However, I do give thanks to God for watching over Will's health and healing him even before the symtoms of sickness prevailed in much pain.  I give thanks to God for Dr. Stacy, the cardiologist, and Dr. Pollock, the heart surgeon, and all those nurses and aids who are so very caring, gentle and kind to Will and all of us, his family members.  I give thanks to God for this Baptist Hospital East where God decided to give us a big surprise that blesses us. I give thanks to God for Francis who came driving down from Syracuse, Ny to be with his father.  I give thanks to God for family and friends near and far who pray for Will. In the midst of this cricis, I am reminded of the apostle Paul who said to the Roamans:

Romans 8:28

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

God does work for our good at all times.  I love God but He loves me first.  So tonight once again I say my prayer, "Thank you, Lord, for surprises that bless us."  In Jesus' name. Amen.