~ This
story was sent to me by a friend, and published in an earlier edition of Inspirational Words. It is one that has
touched a lot of hearts, and I felt it appropriate to republish it. ~
.
"Tomorrow
morning," the surgeon began, "I'll open up your heart..."
"You'll find Jesus there," the boy interrupted.
The surgeon looked up, annoyed. "I'll
cut your heart open," he continued, "to see how much damage has been done..."
"But when you open up my heart, you'll find Jesus in there."
The surgeon looked to the parents, who sat
quietly. "When I see how much damage has been done, I'll sew your heart and chest back up and I'll plan what to
do next."
"But
you'll find Jesus in my heart. The Bible says He lives there. The hymns all say He lives there. You'll find Him in my heart."
The surgeon had had
enough. "I'll tell you what I'll find in your heart. I'll find damaged muscle, low blood supply, and weakened vessels.
And I'll find out if I can make you well." said the surgeon.
"You'll find Jesus there too. He lives there." The young boy reassured him.
The surgeon left.
The
next day, as he sat in his office, recording his notes from the surgery, "...damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein, widespread
muscle degeneration. No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy: painkillers
and bed rest. Prognosis: here he paused, "death within one year."
He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said.
"Why?" he asked aloud. "Why
did You do this? You've put him here; You've put him in this pain; and You've cursed him to an early death. Why?"
The Lord answered and said, "The boy,
My lamb, was not meant for your flock for long, for he is a part of My flock, and will forever be. Here, in My flock,
he will feel no pain, and will be comforted as you cannot imagine. His parents will one day join him here, and they
will know peace, and My flock will continue to grow." The surgeon's tears were hot, but his anger was hotter.
"You created
that boy, and You created that heart. He'll be dead in months. Why?"
The Lord answered, "The boy, My lamb,
shall return to My flock, for he has done his duty: I did not put My lamb with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another
lost lamb." The surgeon wept.
The following day, as the
surgeon sat beside the boy's bed; the boy's parents sat across from him. The boy awoke and whispered, "Did
you cut open my heart?"
"Yes," said the surgeon.
"What did you find?" asked the boy.
"I found Jesus there," said the surgeon.
~Author Unknown