The Heart

"Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began,"I'll open up your heart...""You'll find Jesus there," the boyinterrupted.The surgeon looked up, annoyed "I'llcut your heart open," he continued,to see how much damage has beendone...""But when you open up my heart, you'llfind Jesus in there," said the boy.The surgeon looked to the parents, whoSat quietly."When I see how muchdamage has been done, I'll sew yourheart and chest back up, and I'll planwhat to do next.""But you'll find Jesus in my heart. TheBible says He lives there. Thehymns all say He lives there. You'llfind Him in my heart."The surgeon had had enough. "I'll tellyou what I'll find in your heart.I'll find damaged muscle, low bloodsupply, and weakened vessels.And I'll find out if I can make you well.""You'll find Jesus there too. He livesthere."The surgeon left.The surgeon sat in his office, recording hisnotes from the surgery, "...damaged aorta, damagedpulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration.No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy:painkillers and bed rest. Prognosis:, "here he paused, "death within one year."He stopped the recorder, but there wasmore to be said. "Why?" he asked aloud."Why did You do this? You've puthim here; You've put him in this pain; andYou've cursed him to an early death. Why?"The Lord answered and said, "The boy,My lamb, was not meant for yourflock for long, for he is a part of Myflock, and will forever be.Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, andwill be comforted as you cannot imagine.His parents will one day join him here,and they will know peace, andMy flock will continue to grow."The surgeon's tears were hot, but hisanger was hotter. "You created thatboy, and You created that heart. He'llbe dead in months. Why?"The Lord answered, "The boy, My lamb,shall return to My flock, for He hasDone his duty: I did not put My lambwith your flock to lose him, but to retrieve anotherlost lamb."The surgeon wept.. The surgeon satbeside the boy's bed; the boy'sparents sat across from him. The boy awoke andwhispered, "Did you cut open my heart?""Yes," said the surgeon."What did you find?" asked the boy."I found Jesus there," said thesurgeon.