Recently, the McLay’s have spent several hours in Emergency Rooms and Urgent Care medical facilities. In fact, in less than one month, we’ve taken advantage of these resources three times! Two of these visits were for our youngest son, Jacob (who currently holds the record among our children for hospital visits); the other visit was for oldest daughter, Rebecca.
Jacob has become frighteningly accustomed to these visits. At one point while he was awaiting staples in his head (the second time for this remedy), I commented that some blood was on his hospital pillow. He popped up, turned around, saw the blood and said, “Awwwwesome!”
A minute later he said, “Dad, usually when I come to these places…” which, by itself, is a scary phrase for a child to make, “…they give me a bracelet with my name on it.” Just as he finished, a nurse came in with his ID bracelet. An enormous smile came to his face as she placed in on his wrist. As she left, he looked at me and held up his adorned arm like a trophy!
Jacob has become frighteningly accustomed to these visits. At one point while he was awaiting staples in his head (the second time for this remedy), I commented that some blood was on his hospital pillow. He popped up, turned around, saw the blood and said, “Awwwwesome!”
A minute later he said, “Dad, usually when I come to these places…” which, by itself, is a scary phrase for a child to make, “…they give me a bracelet with my name on it.” Just as he finished, a nurse came in with his ID bracelet. An enormous smile came to his face as she placed in on his wrist. As she left, he looked at me and held up his adorned arm like a trophy!
Sometimes, however, the pain is almost more than a child (or their parents) can bear. When Jacob went the ER on August 11, he was in excruciating pain. In the picture, you can see Sister McLay attempting to comfort (and distract) him from the pain he felt. Rebecca also went to the urgent care with immense anxiety. The pain of her deeply cut toe was present, but the possibility of having to get a shot and stitches terrified her. In fact, the anxiety of what might happen seemed to far outweigh the pain of the injury. She was significantly comforted when the doctor indicated that there would be no shot or stitches, but glue, a bandage, and a walking boot. Jacob, too, was relieved when a few hours later (and after a relatively simple remedy) the pain in his belly departed. 
During a recent Seminary devotional, I was reminded of these recent encounters with doctors and nurses when Josh, one of my students, shared the following teaching of the Savior:
“…They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick” (Matthew 9:12).
I recalled the circumstances behind this statement. The Savior was eating with publicans and sinners, and when the Pharisees saw this, they wondered why Jesus would do such a thing (see Matthew 9:10-11). His response, quoted above, struck me. What a great answer! What a powerful statement of truth!
Then, days later in a Bishopric meeting, I had an epiphany (i.e. a sudden revelation of truth inspired by a seemingly insignificant incident). It was simply this: I am sick. This thought and its accompanying feelings came to me very quietly through the still, small voice of the Spirit. It was a simple, yet piercing (see D&C 85:6) reminder of my mortal condition and my absolute dependency on the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
As parents, it’s hard to see your children suffer. In fact, we sorrow when they sorrow. We feel their pain and often wish we could take it from them—but we cannot. Doctors, nurses, medication, bandages, and time can help—but, none of these things entirely erases the pain or altogether alleviates the suffering. In a like manner, parents and family members and leaders feel pain when those we love commit sin. We feel it when we ourselves commit sin. And yet, as with physical pain, we can only help one another with varying degrees of efficiency, but never completely.
It is my humble opinion that there is only One who can take care of it all. Only One who can help us completely make sense of the pain, sorrow, and suffering that each of us encounter. Only One who, eventually and in His way and with His power, will make it all go away. Only one who ‘feels our pain’—who knows exactly what we’re going through. Only Jesus.
So, again I ask: Does anyone need a physician? I do. I need THE Physician—the only ‘Healthcare Professional’ who can meet ALL of my needs. I need the Savior. Yes, I need Jesus.
How I love Him. And I bare my testimony of His divinity and His grace. He is the Promised Messiah. He lives. He loves. He heals. And He will come again. Until then, may we bring our burdens to Him and allow Him to be our Healer—to be our Physician.
~Brother McLay
“…They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick” (Matthew 9:12).
I recalled the circumstances behind this statement. The Savior was eating with publicans and sinners, and when the Pharisees saw this, they wondered why Jesus would do such a thing (see Matthew 9:10-11). His response, quoted above, struck me. What a great answer! What a powerful statement of truth!
Then, days later in a Bishopric meeting, I had an epiphany (i.e. a sudden revelation of truth inspired by a seemingly insignificant incident). It was simply this: I am sick. This thought and its accompanying feelings came to me very quietly through the still, small voice of the Spirit. It was a simple, yet piercing (see D&C 85:6) reminder of my mortal condition and my absolute dependency on the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
As parents, it’s hard to see your children suffer. In fact, we sorrow when they sorrow. We feel their pain and often wish we could take it from them—but we cannot. Doctors, nurses, medication, bandages, and time can help—but, none of these things entirely erases the pain or altogether alleviates the suffering. In a like manner, parents and family members and leaders feel pain when those we love commit sin. We feel it when we ourselves commit sin. And yet, as with physical pain, we can only help one another with varying degrees of efficiency, but never completely.
It is my humble opinion that there is only One who can take care of it all. Only One who can help us completely make sense of the pain, sorrow, and suffering that each of us encounter. Only One who, eventually and in His way and with His power, will make it all go away. Only one who ‘feels our pain’—who knows exactly what we’re going through. Only Jesus.
So, again I ask: Does anyone need a physician? I do. I need THE Physician—the only ‘Healthcare Professional’ who can meet ALL of my needs. I need the Savior. Yes, I need Jesus.
How I love Him. And I bare my testimony of His divinity and His grace. He is the Promised Messiah. He lives. He loves. He heals. And He will come again. Until then, may we bring our burdens to Him and allow Him to be our Healer—to be our Physician.
~Brother McLay
1 comments:
Thanks for your comments John, I needed to read this today. Pain in life isn't easy and it's easy to forget who is really there to help and listen. Thanks again, Kathryn(Calgary, AB, Canada)
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