Reflections

                           COMPOSED AND QUIETED

Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me. Psalm 131:2

Recently, Steve had to have major dental work done. Our dentist referred us to an oral surgeon. Steve needed to have two impacted wisdom teeth and one abscessed tooth pulled. We did not go into detail with him after our preliminary appointment, since it was going to be two weeks bfore this would occur.

 A few days before the appointment, Steve asked me, "When the doctor 'gonna' knock my teeth out?"  It was obvious he was more aware of what was going to happen than we thought. He wanted to know if he would have a mask over his face. Then asked, "Will I be knocked out like in boxing, and the doctor knock my teeth out?" After explaining everything to him, he was truly amazing. He giggled and joyfully went upstairs to go to bed.

The day of the appointment Don was home with us since it was a school holiday. After we prayed together Steve got right up and headed for the car. He was the first one into the doctor's office as well. When the nurse called for Steve, Stan escorted him to the treatment room, then returned and said, "He just headed for the dentist chair and hopped right in it."

Just minutes after we were in the waiting room Don spotted a Bible on the coffee table. He picked it up and began to thumb through it. I asked him if he wanted me to read from the Bible. He shook his head no and then closed the Bible and tucked it under his left arm. Don held it tight and close to his heart for the duration of our wait, which was thirity minutes. As I watched him sitting quietly I thought, "He is clinging, holding onto the Word of God. He is unable to read God's Word on his own, but he is surely able to hold onto God's Word, holding it close to his heart." He knows the Word of God comforts, and you could tell by his calm demeanor he was most certainly being comforted.

Thirty minutes later we were called to take Steve home. When I entered the room where Steve was, I thought, "He sure looks as if he has been in the boxing ring and didn't fare all that well either." He had gauze tucked in his mouth which made his mouth stay open. His face was a little puffy and droopy on one side. He was very unsteady on his feet due to the sedation. Yet, through it all, he had a great big smile on his face.

We came home and made Steve comfortabe on the sofa. It wasn't long before he looked like a little chipmunk who had stored one too many nuts in his mouth. For several hours we applied ice packs to his face. The merciful side of Don had shown forth, once again. He was right there tucking brother in as he lay on the sofa, wiping Steve's mouth when necessary and bringing him tea on several occasions. Don shared with me later that he had been afraid Steve would die. He said, "God's Word. Jesus help Steve, Jesus help me."

Stan took Don back home to his place shortly after dinner. Later he called to see how Steve was doing. I put Steve on the phone so Don could hear for himself how well he was doing. Steve said, "Hi, Don! Did you have a good time waiting for me at the doctor's office today?" Don responded, "Yes!"

The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. Zephaniah 3:17

       Are you composed and quieted by the Word of God?