The Trip That Couldn’t Wait

The Trip That Couldn’t Wait

If you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. Matthew 5:23-24

Jim had lived a full life, and he had the belly to prove it. Eating and drinking had gotten him to well over 300 pounds. The side effects of his unhealthy habits included hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and high blood pressure.

For years, I had warned him that nothing good would come of his lifestyle, but he refused to listen. So it wasn’t much of a surprise when he ended up in the ER with a 90 percent blockage in his left anterior descending coronary artery. This was serious; the LAD isn’t called the widowmaker for nothing.

We admitted Jim to the cardiac floor, and the cardiologist planned surgery for the next morning. But when I stopped by on rounds, Jim had left the hospital against medical advice. I was stunned. Had I not made it clear to him how life-threatening his situation was? I couldn’t imagine what he thought was so important that he had to leave the hospital. I just prayed it was worth it.

Two weeks later, I was in my office when I heard someone huffing and puffing his way down the hall. I saw it was Jim coming toward me.

“I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you alive again,” I said.

“I have a daughter,” Jim said, resting his back against the wall as he tried to catch his breath. “Haven’t seen her in years. Divorced from her mom. They moved out of state. I had to see her again before I died.”

A nurse brought him a chair, and I grabbed my stethoscope. He was still breathing hard as we sat him down.

“I just didn’t want to die on the table without fixing our relationship. Now that we’re good, I’m ready for surgery. Can you get me back into the hospital?”

I’ve seen lots of patients try to get things right with God before undergoing surgery, but Jim was the first I’d seen go to such lengths to set things right with his daughter. Somehow, I think that pleased God, as well.

TODAY’S RX

Getting your relationships in order is good for your heart and your soul.

Father, loosen my grip on stubbornness and pride, and help me to seek forgiveness for those I’ve hurt. I see now that I have been in the wrong. May I honor you with my attitude and conduct from this day forward.