As I write this blog, I am preparing for a minor surgical procedure tomorrow. I am trying to work up some fear and anxiety about it, but I am strangely calm and at peace. No, I am not anticipating any dire consequences from this procedure. I am looking forward to the relief from pain and discomfort that will be the result of the surgery.

Still, there is an element of the unknown about any medical procedure. This one requires a lot more pre-op preparation than one could anticipate for the minor nature of the surgery. I will have to spend a large part of the day in the hospital. So, it would be natural to have some doubts about the journey and the end results. But I don’t.

I don’t because each day I turn my will and my life over to the care and protection of a loving God. I practice letting go of things beyond my control. I pray for the willingness to accept the things that I cannot change. Sound familiar? Yes, these are aspects of the Serenity Prayer. Another way to say this is: “I can’t. God can. I think that I will let Him.”

Something else happened this week. On Monday, the Stephen Ministers were role playing a situation in continuing education involving a hospitalization. During this time, a prayer was offered for the person going into the hospital. It was a beautiful, meaningful plea to our Father for protection, healing and acceptance. Then the Stephen Ministers prayed for me.

Our God who loves each of us unconditionally rejoices in the prayers of His children. He cherishes each request, not because He is a God who demands strict obedience, but because we ask of our own free will. We surrender to His love and accept His help of our own free will. Sometimes we may turn to Him out of desperation having exhausted our own meager human solutions. How much easier to just depend on Him from the start. (Read Psalm 37)

Terri