..........physician

The following statements are reported to have been found on patients' charts during a recent review of medical records. These statements were written by various health care professionals including a doctor or two at several major hospitals:

"The patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch."

"She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life until 1989

when she got a divorce."

"The patient was in his usual state of good health until his airplane ran

out of gas and crashed."

"I saw your patient today, who is still under our car for physical

therapy."

"She is numb from her toes down."

"While in the emergency room, she was examined, X-rated and sent home."

"The patient was to have a bowel resection. However, he took a job as a

stockbroker instead."

"When she fainted, her eyes rolled around the room."

"Patient has been married twice, but denies any other serious illnesses."

Dictated: "Patient had a Pap smear today"

Transcribed: "Patient had a Pabst Beer today."

"Patient experiences difficulty swallowing tires easily."

"History: Patient was shot in the head with .34 caliber rifle. Chief

complaint -- headache."

"Patient was struck by an auto while she was walking across the street at

approximately 45 miles per hour."

"Skin somewhat pale but present."

"Healthy appearing decrepit 69-year-old white male, mentally alert but

forgetful."

"The patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year."

"On the second day the knee was better, and on the third day it had

completely disappeared."

"By the time she was admitted to the hospital, her rapid heart had stopped,

and she was feeling much better."

"Discharge status: Alive but without permission."

Though we often complain about such things as the expense of doctor visits and the amount of time spent in the waiting room, we are greatly indebted to our doctors for the care they have given us over the years. Many of us (myself included) owe them our very lives. How appropriate that Jesus would use that imagery to describe his relationship with us.

"Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." (Luke 5:31-32)

All of us are sick (though some may not yet realize it or admit it), and spiritual healing comes from only one source. Thank you, Father, for sending the great Physician in our time of deepest need!