In the Hallway of a Hospital

Cold corridors.
Empty echoes…
-Descriptions of the hallways of a hospital.

It reeks of decay, death, sickness and sanitizers. It is a smell most of us associate with gross food, uncomfortable beds, sadistic sisters with a thing for sticking needles (more than once) into veins and hospital clothing that covers barely anything- like your bum.

I’ve had the privilege to visit one such hospital this past week. It is indeed a privilege to be there for so many cannot.

My son of 17 months was diagnosed with pneumonia last Thursday and has been admitted to the children’s ward. He has since recovered well and has been discharged this morning. I thank God for hospitals, even with their smells and quiet hallways. I thank God for doctors and nurses, for the lovely security lady with her bright smile, for the porter always ready to lend a hand, for the parking attendant sitting right through the night to take your ticket and for the golf cart driver thinking it’s a race course and him- a Ferrari driver!

It wasn’t fun being there, true, but it sure beats trying to battle a virus with no back-up. Don’t get me wrong- God heals. Today, as He did two thousand years ago, as written in His Word. But there are times when He deliberately draws back for He has a greater purpose. Greater purposes for our prosperity- and I’ve come to realize that God doesn’t measure prosperity the way we do. Sometimes we need to pass through the valley of the shadow of death to get to heavenly hilltops.

Psa 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psa 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

(to be continued. much love, Liezl)