EVENTS AT THE MEDICAL LAB

I gave more than blood! 

Good morning!  It was early that day, and even the sun hadn’t come up to shine, so the day’s routine involved getting out of the house at an earlier hour than normal.  I had an appointment to rendezvous with the people who draw blood!   Yep, our local medical laboratory. That ordinary procedure developed a life of its own this day.   I hope like me, you are discovering that what we often refer to as the “ordinary events” of life can sometimes spring into unexpected joys.   When we belong to the Lord, hopefully we rest in the realization of truth that:

“A person’s steps are directed by the Lord.  How then can we understand their own way?”  Proverbs 20:4

His ways lead to His purpose, and many times we will never understand the path before us.  

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord.”  Isaiah 55:8

So when you and I feel lost or can’t see a way forward, this verse can bring an unexplained deep peace:  but it’s a peace from God, and not from the world in which we live and move around.

We’re still living with COVID restrictions and we are in the self-isolation mode, so when I venture out, I need to adorn my face with a blue mask.  Honestly, this morning that would be a marked improvement to my appearance.   As an aside, what makes this “mask-wearing protocol” so sad, is that you can’t tell if someone is frowning or smiling.   However, after looking into the mirror, I have discovered that if you put on a really enthusiastic smile, your eyes kind of enlarge and light up.  At least that’s my story and I’m sticking with it. 

Having a shower and dressing for this appointment was quite simple.    All I had to do was just show up and stand in line, of course six feet (2 metre’s) from the person in front of me.  I was there promptly at 8:00 am when the doors to the Lab opened for business.

A lab attendant hurried out the door with his clipboard and pen and proceeded to ask all the COVID questions necessary to allow anyone to enter the facility.

I was ready with my “all no’s” to their questions.   The lineup wasn’t a lengthy one, and so within 10 minutes I was hunkered down inside the facility waiting for my turn to be sequestered to a chair, ready for the “ready, aim and fire” by the gal with the needle.

Yes, the personnel are very clever in how they try to trick you and disguise what’s going to happen next.  To distract you, they begin to ask you questions, like:  what’s your name, date of birth, and then like a tourniquet they strap up your arm.

I really don’t mind needles, just so long as they’re going into someone else’s arm.   Evidence that cowardice was in my profile began to emerge and so I looked away while she did her “little prick” as they call it.  This gal’s “administration of the needle” wasn’t bad:  but I’ve had some in the past that when they inform you that you’re about to receive the prick, you never feel it.  Now that’s what I call a “good day” and an “excellent poke.”

All went well and I was glad that….it was over.   As I was about to leave, the people at the front desk told me that I could obtain the lab results by looking on line.  They gave me the website and the instructions (which seems a little blurry to me); but they were very pleasant, and being no need to hang around, off I went. 

We don’t live far from this lab, so I was home in ten minutes.  After being home for a while I began thinking about the lab staff’s kindness; and with the COVID protocol and restrictions they have to deal with together with the lack of patience and complaints of some people, the thought arose in my mind that a letter of thankfulness might be nice.

But, I was home now and I wanted to relax.   Well, you can imagine Who would not allow me to unwind just yet.  Before long I found myself drawn to my computer; and before I knew what hit me, I was writing a “letter of appreciation” to the Lab personnel.  It only took me a few minutes to strike the keys on the keyboard so that hopefully 15 or so people at the lab could have a better day at the office after receiving my note.

So, off I went to deliver my expression of “gratitude.”   I soon found myself about to stand in the lineup for a second time that morning, a line which had grown considerably since I was there earlier.  The man who was interviewing each patient saw me approach the line and I felt I should let him know that I wasn’t in line again; but that I just wanted to give the lab staff this “letter” from me. 

I was startled when he asked me to “stay right where I was.”  I remained in position and he quickly left me and all the others as he rushed inside, my letter in hand.  He returned moments later with an unusual look on his face.  As he came close, as close as he could without violating the distancing rule, he said these words.

“We have never, ever received a letter like that.  I’ve just read it and it’s now being circulated around to all the staff.”

The countenance on his face was such that I thought he was about to break into tears.  I told him that in a season like this with all that we’re going through, I felt they all needed to know that what they were doing was really important, and I appreciated it very much.   It was a “well-deserved letter of gratitude.”

Off he went, reminiscent of a school boy with a new candy bar.  I can honestly say, I felt the Lord’s pleasure in my own heart all the way home.

As I reflected about my “ordinary way” in my visit to the medical lab, thoughts came to me of the many ways God has provided for me, through others, and I never took advantage of the “practical way” I could express “thanks” to them.  Oh how we need to have the lense of our eyes cleared so we can see others like God sees them.

Proverbs 11:25 “A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”

I felt joy way down to my feet.  I’m learning to carry a few blank cards of stationery with me when having access to doctors, dentists, or the general public serving me.   They need to know that what they do and how they do it is “important.”

And best of all, you won’t even need a stamp if it’s your personal delivery.

WHO MIGHT YOU WANT TO ENCOURAGE on your next “ordinary outing?”  Go ahead, make someone’s day…..with your words of kindness and appreciation.  Be the love of Jesus, the Savior, to them.  They might just find Him for themselves.

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