The Carsons offered a chorus of positive responses, and Leedle began:
The
little room briefly filled with an amen chorus, before the pastor
continued: "Well, I don't wish to intrude any longer on your family
time. I'm sure you have a great deal to talk about...but, when you are
feeling up to it, Michael...I'd like to invite you to some group
processing meetings. You've suffered quite a trauma, and it will take
some time to work through it. Desmond and Mary have been participating
for about a month now."
Taken somewhat aback at the suggestion, Mike could only muster an, "Ummm...Okay, pastor. Yeah, that sounds good."
"Excellent!" Leedle replied with such a look of joy you'd have thought he was a kid opening a Christmas present. He gingerly patted Mike's shoulder, and after a quick handshake and hug for Big Mike and Joyce, the pastor shuffled back out of the room.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three weeks later, Mike was finally released from the hospital. Though the time had passed like an interminable prison sentence to Mike,the medical staff ceaselessly reinforced how "unprecedented" it was for him to even be up and walking--much less going home.
Our Father in Heaven,
Giver of life and all good gifts,
we thank you for preserving the lives of Michael, Desmond, and Mary.
We thank you for the healing that you have already brought to them.
Today, especially, we thank and praise You for bringing Michael out of his coma.
We ask that You continue to bless each of these dear ones as they process what they have lost
and adjust to the new lives to which You have called them.
Amen.
Taken somewhat aback at the suggestion, Mike could only muster an, "Ummm...Okay, pastor. Yeah, that sounds good."
"Excellent!" Leedle replied with such a look of joy you'd have thought he was a kid opening a Christmas present. He gingerly patted Mike's shoulder, and after a quick handshake and hug for Big Mike and Joyce, the pastor shuffled back out of the room.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three weeks later, Mike was finally released from the hospital. Though the time had passed like an interminable prison sentence to Mike,the medical staff ceaselessly reinforced how "unprecedented" it was for him to even be up and walking--much less going home.
No comments:
Post a Comment