Devotionals

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When Cheerfulness Heals


A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

---Proverbs 17:22 (NLT)

Marilyn Sanders’ 5 year old daughter was found to have a serious instance of the flu. So serious that the medical team recommended admission immediately. As she waited for a hospital room to become available, Marilyn stood by her sleeping daughter worried and angry at God for letting her daughter get so sick. In the adjoining room, another little girl also waited to be admitted as well. The difference was this girl’s parents were happily interacting with their daughter. Once the girl was placed in a room, they left promising to return in the morning.

Curious Marilyn asked the emergency room physician about the little girl and her parents. She wondered how these adult could be so cheerful with a child they brought to the emergency room. She explained that the little girl’s parent try to be cheerful around their daughter who needs a heart. “Unless she gets a new heart soon, there is little hope for her to live too much longer.” According to the doctor, her emergency room visit was the fourth on in 9 months.

“A bad heart!” Marilyn thought. “I’m complaining about my child and that little girl could go at any moment.” Marilyn felt ashamed of herself. She asked God for forgiveness. Soon afterwards, Marilyn’s daughter was given a room. The attending physician advised her that her daughter could possible leave after four days. Just before she left, Marilyn brushed her daughter’s hair with smiles and a promise to return early in the morning with some of her favorite games, DVD’s and coloring books.

Marilyn returned to her daughter with a cheerful disposition thankful for God having given her an example of cheerful parents in the face of difficulty. As soon as Marilyn brought happiness, joy and thankfulness to her daughter, her daughter’s projected hospital stay was only two days.


Prayer: Almighty Father, let me be an instrument of your peace, happiness and joy to all
I touch this day who are not feeling well because You love us unconditionally.


Stephen A. Peterson
© 2012

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