WORD OF THE DAY IS LISTEN

            Ps 49:1, 3 Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, everyone in the world! For my words are wise, and my thoughts are filled with insight.

As a young student nurse, I had a patient that wanted me to read the bible to him. One of his medical problems was glaucoma, which made it next to impossible for him to read. I truly didn’t understand how ill he was. I had a few minutes so I began reading his favorite Psalm to him (Ps 23). We discussed it and he said, “Never underestimate the power of reading the bible”. I excused myself to prepare his morning meds, and then returned with my instructor. After taking his meds, he asked for orange juice and said, “Everything is alright”. My instructor left and I returned with his juice.

The minute I opened the door, I knew something was wrong-he was in full cardiac arrest. I called the code and started CPR. When other, more qualified personnel arrived, I stepped back. After a very lengthy resuscitation, he slipped away with a smile on his face. Well, I lost it. I thought I had failed. Later in conference, the instructor informed me that she had overheard me reading to him from the bible. I held my breath as a hush fell over the room. You see, we were never allowed to talk about anything to do with God.

As I took a breath, I heard the instructor say, “His wife said that years ago he was a pastor and never found anyone willing to read the bible to him”. She smiled and said, “Today you placed a brick on your mansion in heaven”. We all need to listen to those older and wiser.  I will always remember his instruction to me and I never underestimate to power of reading the bible.