Surprised by grace

In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.—Hebrews 9:22

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.—Ephesians 1:6-9

Blood draws in the lab are pretty routine; roll up the sleeve, tie the rubber tourniquet, make a fist, then a little pinch and you are all done.

Not this time!

A couple years ago, I had a mini eye “stroke” that resulted in a small croissant shaped loss of vision in my right eye. My doctor in Kansas decided I should be on Palvix as an extra precaution. (Plavix is good stuff as evidenced by the sometimes dramatic bruises that arise from innocent encounters with a chair, desk or door.)

I went to the Patient Service Center at Florida Hospital Tampa last week to have a lab test to determine if the Plavix is still necessary. Vickie and her team always do a nice job drawing blood and I expected the same routine.

Not this time!

Instead of just drawing my blood, I was told that to complete the study an additional vial of another person’s  blood was needed!  What? A stranger’s blood was needed for my test to be completed? So I thought I’d have to reschedule and find someone to help.

But Lisa, the nurse attending me said, “I will give my blood so your test can be done.”
 What? A stranger willing to endure pain and offer her blood on my behalf so I could be well? This was at once amazing and moving.

Amazing in that in addition to all that our clinical caregivers do each day some also roll up their sleeves and give a sample of blood so strangers can find healing. Now I know that many of us given blood through Florida Blood Services for those in need. Collectively, you have given hundreds of gallons over the years, but I doubt very much that any of you have looked into the eyes of those benefiting from a stranger’s gift. I hadn’t until last Tuesday.

This is the moving part. Lisa did not bat an eye but went into the adjacent room with another nurse rolled up her sleeve, endured the pain so I could find healing.

Not unlike the gift of healing that Jesus offers me through His blood, Lisa’s act in a small but significant fashion made healing possible for me.

Too often we experience life without connecting with the heart of those who make it possible. Instead we, and I know I, at times take for granted what others do on our behalf.

That changed last Tuesday. My encounter with Lisa’s gift was a spiritual moment that reminded me in a very real and personal way of the gift of healing offered by the Lord.

Lisa was at that moment doing what Jesus did.

In a few moments you will be caring for patients, working with physician partners and fellow employees. Take a moment and appreciate what they have just done for you. Don’t take it or them for granted...what they do and who they are, are gifts from God.