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Dr. Tom was a young internist. He had completed his residency and was looking forward to shadowing Dr. Bruce, a dedicated general practitioner with a strong following. Tom was hoping that he could partner with Bruce and eventually take over his practice when he retired. Tom was looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to test medical theories.

Bruce was a friend of Tom's father, who had been a cardiologist instrumental in the research to understand the functioning of baboon hearts and human hearts. When Tom's father had died five years ago, it was Bruce who carefully followed Tom's journey through medical school. Tom felt it was an honor to follow Bruce around.

One fall day, a young couple brought in their son, who was experiencing severe abdominal pains. Dr. Tom examined him and wanted a second opinion. He was afraid something was going to burst within their infant son. He was very worried.

Bruce came in an hour later and examined the little boy. He was careful to explain to the parents that medication would be administered through the night and then another examination would take place in the morning. Bruce was very confident, he told them, that he would find out the exact cause of all this pain soon. He was an experienced general practitioner who had seen many, many little children come in with abdominal pain. Bruce would see the little boy on his rounds in the morning.

When Tom came around an hour later to ask how the little boy was feeling, he was very concerned. Something was not quite right, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He called Bruce. Could Bruce come in and look at the little boy again? Bruce said he had gone over the tests and he would be in in the morning to see the little boy.

Tom was clearly concerned. He didn't know what to do. He called a friend, the chaplain, and together they said a short prayer over the phone. Tom felt he needed guidance and wisdom about what to do next. Tom was the subordinate but he was also very anxious. He decided to ask a colleague for her opinion. She was a gastroenterologist and maybe she could figure out why the little boy wasn't responding to the medication in the way they had hoped. Tom left a message for Bruce about the referral.

Susan took one look at the little guy and ordered some very specific tests. She reserved the surgical suite and two hours later opened the boy up. Timing was critical: the little boy would not have lasted through the night. Tom was so relieved. He called his friend, the chaplain, and together they said a prayer of thanks for guidance and Susan's insight. Tom left another message for Bruce.

In the morning Bruce went over the examination results. He reviewed Susan's recommendation and surgery procedures. He was very angry that Tom had gone over his head, but he was also very thankful that Tom had consulted with her. She was a very gifted doctor. Bruce and Tom talked to the parents and explained the medical situation to them. The parents would see positive change in a few days, and the boy would be healthy and normal for the rest of his life thanks to Susan's intervention.

Bruce and Tom had a long talk afterward. Tom apologized for going over Bruce's head. Bruce cried and told Tom he never would have thought the mass was about to rupture. He had no idea how critical the little boy was. Bruce could have been cited for his arrogance, instead he came to the family as a very repentant human. He asked God for forgiveness and he asked the parents for understanding. As a Christian, Bruce believed that he was justified by his trust in God, not in his own efforts. And through Tom, Bruce had been reminded of that.