that’s the reason for the suffering we see and experience.

As physicians… you have more opportunity to be God’s instruments of healing as he works through you. I believe he has given special gifts that enable and cause people to be doctors.

And each of us can also be his instruments by being a willing vessel through which God can work with whomever he places in our paths.

I struggled this Christmas because of personal things and I didn’t “feel” it.

I admit…I was drained and felt like I had nothing to give. It all felt so hollow. But i am dealing with loss of loved ones.

And because of his birth… we have hope of seeing them again. But I lost my perspective.

I love how God doesn’t fit into the mold/box some people try to put him in and I love that he’ll do things that confound the wise or the understood logic.

His plan was awesome.. is awesome! And it is so beautiful how he loved us so much…that he came to us, lived among us and died for us. The way he reached out to the poor, the outcasts and his message of hope.

I guess my ministry..of sorts is the nursing home. I am a frequent flier there because Mom is in there now.She is my primary concern, but where ever I go while in there…I reach out with encouragement (sometimes a thousand questions and concerns too) to the staff and I also am friendly, encouraging and supportive to the residents milling around… even when they are in their own Alzheimer world.

It is all so sad to see. It causes me to wonder. Why? And how did people handle these things before nursing homes? Enjoy today… because we don’t know what tomorrow brings.

that being said… It is the hope in Christ that gives hope for our future… at least to those of us that choose to believe in him. I say this from a Christian perspective and in no way intend to negate that people have hope for other reasons and hope is a beautiful thing. Hope keeps us going and it brings peace.

Merry Christmas and happy new year, Dr. Rob!