Thought for the Week
My father died on this date. And one week from today, I’m scheduled for a major heart procedure. One that could spare me the fate that killed my dad at age 45. Which, ironically, happened just two weeks after his doctor told him, “Your ticker is in great shape!” They got a lot of things wrong back then.
But then, “they,” i.e. we, still get a lot of things wrong. We condemn each other for crimes against humanity. Ones that (right or wrong) were societal norms only a few years–or even months–ago. And we assume that the worst things we hear about people are true. We fail to listen to each other, preferring instead to talk about each other.
And then we die. Before we can break the pattern and change our ways, before we can learn to listen, learn to forgive. I would give anything to have my father back, to finish the hard work of understanding that had only just begun when his “ticker” quit.
Shame on us. God forgive us and teach us to listen, to understand, to forgive, and to love one another–especially our enemies–in whatever time we have left. Help us to break the patterns of judging and condemning…
Before our tickers quit.
∴
I will keep you in my prayers.
Thank you (I’m afraid I don’t know your name).
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12
Amen, Todd.
psalm 65:37
Mitch, may God our Healer, heal your heart on the surgeon’s table. The curse of heart disease was taken by the stripes of Jesus. Blessings pf successful surgery and healing. By the stripes of Jesus, you Mitch are healed.
Bless you, Hazel.
I’m sorry you lost your father at such a young age. I hope your procedure goes well and that your recovery goes smoothly. 🙂
Thank you, Shiny.
Be of good cheer, Mitch! I’ll be praying for your speedy healing. Besides, I have a daughter who works in a heart ward caring for people who have ablation, so you’re in good hands.
Thank you, Gabrielle. I’ll keep an eye out for her. ;>)
Wishing you the best.
Thank you, Tansy.
Hope all goes well, Mitch
Thank you, Maria.
So true! I wish I could see what will be available in 20 years. I hope everything goes smooth as silk and you recover quickly.
Thank you, Martha.
Hopes and prayers for next week, Mitch.
Thank you, Malcolm.
Praying that all goes well next week.
Thank you, John.
You’re in my daily prayers with other bloggers with unfortunate health issues. I keep praying, and they keep blogging! May God bless you with a successful procedure and a speedy recovery without complications. The picture of your father strongly resembles a younger you. 🙂
Thank you so much, Nancy. ❤
Mitch, the doctors said, retrospectively, that my husband had been a walking heart attack for about 6 months after his first serious angina attack. That’s when they operated. A quadruple heart bypass saved his life. Now, 11 years later, his “ticker is in great shape.” Jesus Saves, to quote a billboard I’ve seen. He does it over and over again. You are in my prayers. 🙏🙏
Thank you, Gail. 💕
gail as for 13 years later
That’s for the message, well said and received, you’re gonna be around a while, so much more for you to say and do.
Thank you, L.G.!
May the procedure be a successful one with zero issues and attentive surgeons/specialists. I’ll be praying for you, Mitch.
Thank you so much, trE.
You’re most welcome!
How’d it go?!
My procedure? It’s next Monday, July 28, trE.
Why was I thinking it was today?! *Sighs* Lawd, help.
:>)
Good luck with your procedure, Mitch. Thank goodness your heart is in the right place!
Left side of my chest last time I checked. ;>) Thank you, Wynne!
Mitch, of course, I’m sorry about your dad. This date, July 21, is a date of significance for me, too. I turn seventy-five on this date. I didn’t expect to be here twenty-five years ago. I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (a type of incurable blood cancer) twenty-five years ago. Not only am I still alive, but I also have a quality of live that’s remarkable, considering all I’ve been through. BTW, I pray that things go well for you, health wise.
What a wonderful testimony, Hosea!
Hoping that all goes well for you, and holding you in the light.
Thank you, Lynn.
Great post, Mitch, and a nice remembrance of your dad. I lost my dad way too early as well. Also great advice for us all. Prayers for you for your procedure and a speedy recovery. 🙏❤️
Thank you, dear Peggy.
Remembering my dad too. Praying that your heart keeps on ticking, and optimally too
Thank you, Eric.
Best wishes and prayers for a successful surgery and an uneventful recovery, Mitch. My Dad had a triple bypass surgery, and then 10 years later, had a 7 bypass. He lived a good many years after the second one.
That’s great to hear, Terry.
YEP
Sending you good wishes Mitch and I pray you will enjoy a long and healthy life, with many more stories to share.
Thank you, Iba.
Sending thoughts and prayers your way.
Thanks, John. And good to hear from you, btw.
Praying for you, your family and the medical team in your case. My father in law passed away on Father’s Day two days after being told he had a clean bill of health. That was over fifty years ago. The advancement in medicine has grown over that time. Trust in the Lord, because He is the greatest physician.
He is indeed, Kathy.
Praying for a safe procedure and quick recovery, Mitch! 🙏🏼
Thank you, Anonymous friend.
45 is just so young. My dad died on sudden heart-death too, but at the age of 65 – still unexpectedly young. I made peace with him before, without discussing everything with him. I am so glad I did. No “unpaid bills”, as we say over here. I just understood where he came from and that he had his own fight. As you said, I just forgave him. Wishing you all the best for your heart procedure, Mitch!
Thank you, dear Erika.
My goodness, this is wonderfully said. Wishing you the best and that you have a swift recovery!
–Scott
Thank you, Scott! Are Herald Staff comments always from you, btw? Good to know your name either way.
More often than not, yes. I’m not the only contributor on our page, so I make sure to leave my name. Prayers for the coming week, Mitch. Be well!
–Scott
Thank you, Scott.
Wishing you full healing!
Thank you, Christina!
I appreciate you sharing this, Mitch. My mom died at 77 and my dad died at 89, right before his 90th birthday. My parents were fortunate for their length of days. I am not sure where they were in their relationship with the Lord. I appreciate the encouragement to make the best of the time we have left in Christ.
My privilege, San.
as for 64 & 65th birthday sam
Praying for you, friend.
Thank you, my Anonymous friend.
All the best with your procedure Mitch!
Thank you, Janice!
Hey, there fellow-old-guy! You are in my prayers that the procedure will be successful by the doctors’ standards. Most of them actually hate it when we die in their care; looks bad on their resume’s. But we who live in Christ Jesus do not need to fear what men (and women) can do and not do for us. I often say goodbye to friends who know the Lord, “See you in Heaven if not before!😇” Sometimes the reactions are quite informative!!😄
As for time ahead, I hope by the end of August my new arranger will have The Years of Grace on paper for me, and we may be able to record it by the end of the year. So if you’re still around, you may get to hear my tribute to my Dad, a godly man who left for Heaven at 73, my current age.😉
❤️&🙏, c.a.
I look forward to hearing that tribute, C.A.
as for age 98
Prayers up for a successful procedure and total healing.
Thank you, dear Sandy.
Good luck with your procedure!
Thanks, Dawn!
Adding my prayers to those already offered here, Mitch. (My, but you are well-covered!!)
Thank you, dear friend.
I will pray for you to have a successful surgery, a good recovery, and the time to get things a little less wrong.
Thanks, Al.
Dear Mitch, your name was added to my local email prayer chain the same day I told you about my heart ablation. By now there are hundreds of people you don’t even know praying for you and your surgical team. And I’m one of them. May your procedure go exceedingly well next week and may you have a full recovery. You’re in our prayers. 🙏🏼
Wow! Bless you, dear Nancy.
On you also, my friend. All will be well.
<3
Now or never, better understand sooner than later
May all be well, Mitch. Peace and love to you.
Thanks and blessings, Rita.
I hope all goes well… I’ll be praying for the surgeon to have steady hands and excellent skills (and for a speedy recovery for you)!
Thank you, Val!
Good heavens, your dad was Hollywood-handsome! I got the timing of your heart procedure wrong a few weeks ago & I’ve been hoping you had it done already, were fine, and that you were just being mum about it. Shoot! Well, back to praying for Mitch! 🌷
Thank you, Carol! The procedure was supposed to be some time ago, but was rescheduled.
Thank you for sharing this wisdom, I hope people will take it to heart. I will pray for your surgery and for healing after.
Thank you, Lisa.
I wish you all the best for your upcoming operation. I know from my own experience that a surgical procedure can also seem unbearable for the psyche and you are afraid of not waking up again. Everything is in God’s hands! I wish you the spiritual guidance that will allow you to look calmly and serenely into the future. Many greetings from Germany, Gisela
Thank you, Gisela!
Amen
I’ m sorry, than the hope help you.
Good Day Mitch 🙋🏻
Thank you. May I ask your name?
I’m Desire’ Jolanda…Good Day Mitch
Good day, Desire’.
❤️
the age of the dollar bill that drabek & cats art pics has & you have & the president name on that bill is
Good luck Mitch – see you back here soon 🙏
Thank you, Loveswing (sorry, I’m afraid I don’t know your name).
It’s Rob – take care Mitch and speedy recovery.
Thank you, Rob.
All the best with your op Mitch and thanks for reminding us that the God of love, who loves us, expects us to emulate him. I find it a difficult thing to swallow my pride and love those who offend me, let alone my enemies. But I know if God asks us to do so, then we can! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
My privilege, Lady Cee.
Take things easy, you’re important to us.
Aw, bless you, my friend.
I never met a teacher who spoke my language. Mostly they had jargon and I had a song. My father died at 72 having learned to hate everyone and feeling unloved because he felt abandoned by his Mother who put him in an Orphange because she got TB and they had no drugs back then. She was put into isolation and they had nothing. I’m 76 and I’ve learned nothing. I think there’s little time left.
So, may you live and have a teacher who knows you well.
I’m praying you’ll find the peace and love you long for, Doug, and that your song will reflect them.
What a deeply moving reflection, Mitch. Thank you for opening your heart in such a vulnerable and powerful way.
Wishing you strength and peace as you head into your procedure. May it mark not just a renewal of health, but a deepening of everything that truly matters.🙏
Thank you so much, Mohan.
True words! Well said, Mitch. I pray all goes well for your heart procedure.
Thank you so much, Carolyn.
Very welcome! I am sorry about your dad and glad you are taking care of your heart. It hit me when you shared about how your dad had been to the Dr 2 weeks before he died. That was the same with my brother before he collapsed with a massive heart attack when he was 23 years old.
I know heart surgery can be scary, especially when you have family history of heart issues, but you are in the Great Physician’s Hands, you couldn’t be in better ones. Praying He guides the surgeon’s hands.
Thank you so much, Carolyn. And I’m sorry to hear about your brother’s shocking early death.
You are most welcome!
Thanks. He died back in 1984, before Drs knew about all the dangers of high cholesterol and triglycerides.
“Help us to break the patterns of judging and condemning…” ❤️🙏 Praying all goes well with your procedure, Mitch.
Thank you, Kelley!
A great pre-surgery reflection. Hit the confessional for a soul cleanse, if your tradition allows.
Either way, May the Lord guide the surgeon’s hands, inspire the clinical staff to their excellence and comfort all those who worry over you. As for you, your true heart surgery was years ago. You’re just still doing the PT. Persistent Truth. Be well.
Thank you so much, Gerry.
This really hit home. It’s such a powerful reminder to focus on what truly matters and not get caught up in judging others. Funny enough, it made me think about how I’ve started using a service to clean up after my dog, something so small, but it’s given me more time to slow down and be more comfortable in the yard with her, instead of stressing over the mess. Life’s too short to not take those moments to connect, reflect, and just be present. Wishing you strength and healing for your procedure!
Thank you, Jeanie.
I’m praying your surgery is completely successful and your recovery is quick! Beyond that, I agree so much with the point of your post. The time to truly live really is now!
Thank you, dear Ann.
Will be praying all goes well, Mitch.
Thank you, Sarah.
Volume please 🆗️
Trusting all goes well!
Thanks, Geoff!
Prayers that all goes well with your procedure next week. May God’s peace calm and quiet you soul as you wait.
Thank you so much, Shirley.