Our Granddaughter Rachel at about 3-years-old could chase off any non-invited helper with, “I DO IT!!”

Carole says the best bonus’ of hospital stays are warmed blankets and chipped ice administered by caring nurses and techs. It was early in the second day in ICU after triple-bypass that my wife was holding a cup of ice chips. I saw it was tipping and helped her hold the cup. She opened her eyes and asked me with fire: “What are you doing?” Then she declared. “I do it!!”

It sounded so familiar I backed off. Don’t mess with Carole’s ice chips! A couple minutes later, she allowed the cup of ice chips to gently empty into her lap which alerted her nurse to a clean-up in aisle 4.

We have learned there are some things that happen only if we do it, and in somethings we need all the help we can get.

Jesus said what we permit on earth will be permitted in Heaven; what we prohibit on earth will be prohibited in Heaven. (Matthew 18:18). It makes a lot of sense when we get past the “Let, Loose, bind.” Bluntly, if it doesn’t matter that much to you, Child of God, why should I bother? (God).

When the specialist pulled the breathing tube from Carole’s throat, about 2 hours after she gestured, “I am so finished with this!” we discovered she had lost the tiny bit of soprano range she had. She talked like she was drunk. There were days of worrisome thoughts and trying to figure out why she couldn’t stay awake. The anesthesia hung on to organs and cells. After they moved her out of ICU, I talked to the lovely nurse about concerns. She said, “We can use—and do use—all kinds of meds and drugs, but the best med for her is to walk and to eat.” That is a big principle. There are some things others can’t do for you. And the inferred promise from Jesus is, “You do what needs to be done—what you can do—and I’m committed to some of the heavy lifting.”

In the months after my bypass surgery, I wrote Mosquito Park Secrets. It is about why the list of Fruit of the Spirit should be posted in cardiologist’s offices. They are the fruit of the Holy Spirit. What Holy Spirit grows in us. Fruit is product of what is planted. What, I wondered, should we plant, nurture and steward that Holy Spirit can use to grow things like….

“Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).

When we thought the procedure would be a stent, I wondered if that writing held up after 23 years. I read the book and concluded it does. Great stories and quotes from medical writers and many disciplines. I share my actions, reactions and failures. Fruit of the Spirit is broader than medicine and health. The Fruit of the Spirit have been called the characteristics of Jesus.

I DO IT!

Amelia Earhart said,

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act. The rest is merely tenacity.“

When I arrived at the hospital today, Carole was sitting in a straight back chair. Her bottom was hurting. She had been in that chair for an hour, she said. Not a happy lady! The other change was that she was wearing a striped, green gown which means she is self-helping. No one told her how to fulfill her Green Gown Commission. Some of the limitations were removed. There were strict rules about lifting with her arms, but no longer. No one told her. Her walker was just out of reach and she wanted to sit in the butt-cushioning chair. She was doing the best she could with the info she had.

One of the pulmonary techs talked about his career experience and plans in his country of origin and in USA. Carole responded to new skills he has added by saying, “now you have more options.”

“Options. What exactly does that mean?”

He fits the tall, dark, handsome picture. When I met him the other day, he was non-verbal and sour. When Carole told him what new and more options meant, his countenance changed. He turned to me with a smile a positive shake of his head. Wow!

“People are doing about the best they can.”

I don’t remember who said that, but it resonates with me.

The Kingdom Good News is telling people the options available.

I DO IT!! If you know alternative options are available.

©2021 D. Dean Benton