Marked By The Cross Of Christ Forever
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle B
Blaine sat in the chair, waiting for the doctor to tell him what the problem was. He had complained about headaches for a month and the doctor assured Blaine that as soon as his sinus infection cleared, he would be fine. But a strong dose of antibiotics did not make the headaches go away. A CT scan was ordered.
On the way to the scan, time seemed to move very slowly for Blaine. His body seemed to be floating above the bed as he was wheeled through the hallways. He saw his life as a flashback as the technicians methodically did their work with the machine. It was as if he was watching them on a silent screen.
His wife, who had died several years before, smiled at him through his dream. His parents were hovering at a distance beside his grandparents. How good it was to remember them!
His dream took him to his children's baptisms. One by one, he recalled as the pastor had baptized each child, assuring them that they had entered the kingdom of God and were now a part of the family of God. Blaine remembered being embarrassed at his tears as the sign of the cross was made on each child's forehead. Blaine had been so touched.
Blaine laughed at the thought. Yes, Blaine had been touched! Touched in that same way, long ago, when he himself was baptized. His parents had carried him to the baptismal font long ago, and the pastor had made a sign of the cross on Blaine's forehead, too. Blaine had entered the kingdom of God, a part of the family of God. Blaine smiled as he was wheeled back to his room. No matter what happened, God would never leave him.
The doctor interrupted his thoughts. He looked serious. The tumor was on the pituitary gland, disrupting the sinus process. It would have to be removed and the probability of malignancy was high. Blaine's heart rate was low and medications would have to be balanced. The doctor wanted to know how Blaine was feeling. "Good and bad; sad and happy." The doctor looked confused, saying he'd leave Blaine to process the diagnosis. He'd see Blaine in the morning.
Blaine smiled. Where would he even begin explaining to the good doctor?
On the way to the scan, time seemed to move very slowly for Blaine. His body seemed to be floating above the bed as he was wheeled through the hallways. He saw his life as a flashback as the technicians methodically did their work with the machine. It was as if he was watching them on a silent screen.
His wife, who had died several years before, smiled at him through his dream. His parents were hovering at a distance beside his grandparents. How good it was to remember them!
His dream took him to his children's baptisms. One by one, he recalled as the pastor had baptized each child, assuring them that they had entered the kingdom of God and were now a part of the family of God. Blaine remembered being embarrassed at his tears as the sign of the cross was made on each child's forehead. Blaine had been so touched.
Blaine laughed at the thought. Yes, Blaine had been touched! Touched in that same way, long ago, when he himself was baptized. His parents had carried him to the baptismal font long ago, and the pastor had made a sign of the cross on Blaine's forehead, too. Blaine had entered the kingdom of God, a part of the family of God. Blaine smiled as he was wheeled back to his room. No matter what happened, God would never leave him.
The doctor interrupted his thoughts. He looked serious. The tumor was on the pituitary gland, disrupting the sinus process. It would have to be removed and the probability of malignancy was high. Blaine's heart rate was low and medications would have to be balanced. The doctor wanted to know how Blaine was feeling. "Good and bad; sad and happy." The doctor looked confused, saying he'd leave Blaine to process the diagnosis. He'd see Blaine in the morning.
Blaine smiled. Where would he even begin explaining to the good doctor?
