I left the doctor’s office bawling… Not from the pain of the seven injections I had just received in the bottom of my foot, but rather overwhelmed by the kindness from the doctor who administered them.
I got into my car and an overwhelming gratitude rose up in my heart as I cried and cried. The tears were happy tears as my soul rejoiced in what I had just experienced.
The doctor had been the hands and feet of Jesus to me in my time of need. He carried an incredible peace into the room, and spoke with the most calming, gentle voice. He explained in detail each step of the procedure to shrink a painful solid mass that had been growing on the bottom of my foot, causing pain with each step I took.
He told me that the injections would be VERY painful, but that he would walk me through each and every step of the procedure. He looked me in the eyes as he took my foot into both of his hands to demonstrate that he would hold me steady. He explained that there would be pain, but that the relief and benefit that would come after the procedure would be worth the temporary suffering I would endure. He assured me he would see me through.
This whole experience reminded me so much of the kindness of God. He does not always keep us from pain or hardships, but he is always there, walking us through each step and holding us steady. He gives detailed instructions, warnings, and comfort as he guides us through the trials of life.
I was overcome by the difference that kindness makes. A few months earlier, I had some skin cancer removed from my forehead. The doctor was brash, curt, insensitive, and didn’t talk to me throughout any of the injections, cutting, stitching, etc. I was enduring each step not knowing what to expect or what was next.
Kindness makes all the difference. After the skin cancer surgery, I got into the car bawling from the pain and trauma and horrible experience. After this foot procedure, I got in the car bawling from the overwhelming kindness given freely to me.
Be kind and tenderhearted toward one another. You never know what a person is going through and you just might be the hands and feet of Jesus in their time of distress.
“The Lord is kind and merciful, patient and full of love.”
Psalm 145:8