Christ Was Even At the Clinic

Today I took the kids to the clinic to get them physicals. We never go to the doctor. I honestly have a hard time going mostly because I believe true medicine and wellness is in what we eat and not in the form of synthetic pills but that's another story for a different day. So off we went and when I say we, I mean myself and all five kids.

  Our appointment was scheduled for 8:45 am and we made it to the clinic by 8:10 am which is a record for this mother of four! I was in a great mood despite the rainy cold April morning. I knew this appointment might be a difficult one. I had visited the clinic a month before to get a physical for our five year old Jack and the moment the discussion about immunizations, or the lack there of, started the conversation between the doctor and I immediately got sour. In my words I made it to love her but in my thoughts I did not. She was not happy that we did not immunize. This was not an attitude I was unfamiliar with so I was prepared for the speech of concern. What I wasn't prepared for was for her to threaten me with "I have the right to refuse to see your children as long as you continue not to immunize them." I did not take offense to her comment but I did feel threatened. I told her I understood her concern and off we went.

  Although I knew what and who I would more than likely be facing this morning I was still happy. I even prayed quite a bit before the appointment that I would have the grace to love her not just in my words but in my thoughts. I asked God to help me to see this doctor as I see my own children. The physicals went well and both "Sam and Grace are in great health and are the healthiest children I've seen in a long time." Her words not mine. Eventually, the conversation lead to the dreaded immunization conversation and before I knew it she was telling me she would no longer see my children due to the risk involved. I silently, while listening to her, prayed "Holy Spirit come....help me to be love...only love."

 The conversation progressed and the Doctor explained her concerns and I explained mine and we parted on positive terms.

  This morning was difficult for me. The nurses after finding out that we did not immunize were cold and treated me with contempt. Even through all of my friendliness, my hellos and good mornings and have a nice day I felt as though I were a leper. I started to feel sorry for myself. I started to think that maybe a little bit of in your face and look at how much I know would have done them some good but I remembered that only love can drive out hate and cruelty.

 In those moments of ugliness and pain it's still Christ we are called to love. He is always in each and every person we meet. He may be the ugly painful version of Christ, the one hanging, bloodied on the cross or He may be the beautiful, clean, brought back to life and resurrected Christ but it doesn't matter, we are still called to love Him.

 On my drive home I remembered today was the anniversary of the death of two soldiers that gave their life in Iraq in 2005 leaving behind wives and children. The sacrifice of Cpt. Ralph John (Jay) Harting III and Cpt. Stephen Frank instantly brought me out of myself and my woes right away. The words "To love another person is to see the face of God" echoed in my head and I thought to myself "for you God." I made it to love this doctor and the nurses today and realized how truly small my cross for this day had been. Christ comes to us everyday and sometimes several times a day and today, for me, He was even at the clinic.

Ringrazio Dio ~ Thanks Be to God!

Captain Ralph J. Harting III

Captain Stephen W. Frank