the Centrist

Dear friends and family:

Here is a blessing from Subscribers and Missionaries Estes family:
A Prayer Before Surgery

My 9-year-old’s last-second request surprised his doctor and taught me a valuable lesson about sharing the gospel.

Tina Blessitt
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Last fall my 9-year-old son, Austin, had his tonsils removed. Before the surgery, Austin’s anesthesiologist came to start an IV. He was wearing a cool surgical cap covered in colorful frogs. Austin loved that “frog hat.”

The doctor explained that he had two choices. He could either try to start the IV now, or he could wait until Austin was up in the operating room. In the OR the doctor would give Austin some “goofy” gas, and start the IV when he was more relaxed.

“So, Austin,” he asked, “which do you want?”

Austin replied, “I’ll take the gas.” But when the doctor started to leave, Austin called, “Hey, wait.”

The doctor turned. Yeah, buddy, what do you need?”

“Do you go to church?”

“No,” the doctor admitted. “I know I probably should, but I don’t.”

Austin then asked, “Well, are you saved?”

Chuckling nervously, the doctor said, “Nope. But after talking to you, maybe it’s something I should consider.”

Pleased with his response, Austin answered, “Well, you should, ’cause Jesus is great!”

“I’m sure He is, little guy,” the doctor said, and quickly made his exit.

After that a nurse took me to the waiting room. Someone would come and get me when Austin’s surgery was done.

After about 45 minutes, the anesthesiologist came into the waiting room. He told me the surgery went well and then said, “Mrs. Blessitt, I don’t usually come down and talk to the parents after a surgery, but I just had to tell you what your son did.”

Oh boy, I thought. What did that little rascal do now?

The doctor explained that he’d just put the mask on Austin when my son signaled that he needed to say something.

When the doctor removed the mask, Austin blurted, “Wait a minute, we have to pray!”

The doctor told him to go ahead, and Austin prayed, “Dear Lord, please let all the doctors and nurses have a good day. And Jesus, please let the doctor with the frog hat get saved and start going to church. Amen.”

The doctor admitted this touched him. “I was so sure he would pray that his surgery went well,” he explained. “He didn’t even mention his surgery. He prayed for me! Mrs. Blessitt, I had to come down and let you know what a great little guy you have.”

A few minutes later a nurse came to take me to post-op. She had a big smile on her face as we walked to the elevator.

“Mrs. Blessitt, I couldn’t wait to tell you something exciting that your son did.”

With a smile, I told her that the doctor already mentioned Austin’s prayer.

“But there’s something you don’t know,” she said. “Some of the other nurses and I have been witnessing to and praying for that doctor for a long time. After your son’s surgery, he tracked a few of us down to tell us about Austin’s prayer. He said, ‘Well girls, you got me. If that little boy could pray for me when he was about to have surgery, then I think maybe I need his Jesus too.”

She then recounted how they joined the doctor as he prayed to receive Christ right there in the hospital. Wow! Austin had played a small part in something wonderful. But then, so did the nurses who prayed and witnessed.

I thought about John’s words in his Gospel, “One sows and the other reaps” (John 4:37). Austin’s experience taught me that, although we never know which role we may be called to play, in the end it doesn’t matter. What’s important is that we remain faithful in sharing the gospel.

Tina Blessitt, a freelance writer, lives with her husband and four children in Kentucky.

“Don’t tell God how big your troubles are — tell your trouble HOW BIG YOUR GOD IS! ”

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 KJV

Prayer Requests: Pray for a revival of our nuclear families; Pray for alternative families, for wisdom and spiritual guidance in rearing their children; pray for spirtual wisdom for America’s leaders; Pray for workers and families of plants closing (American Axle – Buffalo, NY; Delphi – Lockport, NY); and Betty C. hip surgery yesterday (Monday).
Updates:
From Subscribber Judy: My Mom had hip surgery Monday morning, up and walking yesterday afternoon plus solid food supper … The only complication was a cracked femur that the doctor had to wire up to give it strength and hopefully not break. This is quite remarkable for an 86 year old; but she’s in good health, exercises daily, and has a great attitude and a personal God. Thanks for the prayers …
Marilyn’s Dad (Joe) who is recovering from stint surgery for an aortic aneurism, continuing to improve, but has pain in same area of aneurism.
Uncle (Phil) aneurism still not treated, one kidney is not functional … still in danger

Prayer Requests:
Prayer for a former student in depression, still not doing well, PRAY FOR EATING DISORDER AND SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE.
Brother Les … sever arthritis needs neurosurgery consultation
Pray for our nation and President. Pray for civility in upcoming election. Pray that slander and mean spirited methods stop (attacks from leftist blogs) and that this hatred is not met with like hatred from the right.
Nephew with eating disorder is eating and gaining weight please continue to pray.
For friend Gary … BROTHER RICK PASSED AWAY LAST THURDAY; pray for Gary and his family as well a Rick’s wife Ev.
PRAY FOR Michele is undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, keep her in prayer; no change.
For my prayer partner Ron and his wife Judy … Ron’s father has been placed at home with assistance from hospice.
Please keep praying for Chris M. He is a young man with a painful neuralgia of unknown origin – no change.
Continue to pray that Dan and Betsey sell their home in Kettering, Ohio … still no serious buyers.
Continue to pray for a smooth transition for Betsey with her new position; MOVING IS NOT EASY!
Please continue to pray for health issues for five of our nieces and Marilyn.
Continue to pray for our troops at 9:00 P.M. each evening.
Pastors: Dan, John, Tom, Lyell, Steve D, search committee Clermont, Whittikers, Neil, and Steve T for their ministries, ease of stress, and courage to spread the gospel
Our sister Debbie’s brother Ken has been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer, pray for salvation. He is doing well with chemo.
Clermont Sunday School
Becky and Herb daughter Tiffany has a kidney stone and will be traveling back to Minnesota soon to have it removed.
Wanda’s mother, visiting: still taking antibiotics for infection and also medicine for her memory. Pray for her as she will be alone in the daytime while Wanda and Garry work.
Vicki and Ken son Kevin will be going to Iraq soon for his new construction job.
Rupert Brown – health.
Twila and Tom’s neighbor Leila and her husband – for salvation and health.
The construction company where Wanda works will begin to lay off people in January. Pray for these people as they try to find other work.
Pastor Search Committee as they make decisions about our new pastor and our church as we will be making the adjustment from Pastor Phil to the new pastor after the committee finishes their work.
Our Armed Forces around the world.

Yates Sunday School:
Sabrina – brain tumor … second MRI shows tumor not a tumor but a venous complex … prognosis very good … answered prayer!
Barb – pancreatic cancer
Shaughn – strength for Christian walk in a secular school
Mrs. S – strength after heart surgery – she is now off the respirator after many post surgical complications

Always remember to …

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,

Dr B