Hope -- I was visiting a...
Illustration
Hope -- I was visiting a patient one day at the hospital following a major setback
following heart transplant surgery. He was now on a ventilator, frustrated, depressed, and
angry. He looked at me when I arrived in his room with cards from the Sunday school
children -- his eyes brightened and then he looked down and shook his head to indicate
that he thought he would not see them again. I said to him, "Brother, even this setback is
part of God's plan to teach us all about hope and healing. Now, stop feeling sorry for
yourself, realize that there are others who look to you to finish well. You are the fig tree
who right now is being prepared to bear much fruit for others who have challenges in
life." His eyes brightened, he gave me the "thumbs up sign" and two days later was
relieved of his ventilator and was talking and breathing on his own once again.
