Apple Cider

"Dad, can I have some Apple Cider?"  Elliot asked me.

"I guess so," I said.  "But I didn't think we had any Apple Cider."

"Yes, we do," Elliot said.  "There's a jug of it over there on the counter."

"I don't think you'll like that kind of Apple Cider," I said.

"Oh, I do, I really like Apple Cider," he replied, confidently.

"I'll give you just a little bit," I said, pouring a tiny amount into a cup.

"It smells kin of funny,"  Elliot told me and then he tasted and made an awful face.  "That's terrible," he said.  "It doesn't taste like Apple Cider at all!"

"That's because it's Apple Cider Vinegar," I told him.  "And Vinegar is pretty sour, even if it is made from Apple Cider in the beginning."

Jesus once asked a couple of His disciples if they were able to drink from the cup which He was going to drink, by which He meant were they willing to go endure suffering for His sake.  They answered confidently that they could.  At the same time, we know that they weren't ready at all to drink from that cup.

If I am truthful, I'm not one who enjoys drinking vinegar -- not for health reasons or any other reason.  I would far rather drink Apple Cider and yet, I cannot order my life in such a way as to avoid all hardship.  There are times when the cup I am given has more than its share of sourness in it.

Into this, comes God's promise that He will not leave me.  When I need Him most, He will be there to help me through.

Even when life has given me a cup of Apple Cider Vinegar to drink.

The Fastest Way?

"What's the fastest way from school to the orthodontist's office?"  My son, Vince asked me.

"I don't really know," I answered.  "Mom is usually the one who takes you all.  I suppose you go up 501 to Brown's Mill Road and go up to Lynchburg from there."

"Yes, but that's only part of the way,"  Vince told me, sagely.  "Mom discovered awhile ago that taking Candler's Mountain Road is not the fastest way to get there."

And with this, he launched into a detailed explanation of the correct route.  Sometimes I wonder if my son is part GPS.  Certainly if you ever get lost in Campbell County, Vince is the person you should have on speed dial to set you back on the right track.

Vince is very much focused on the "best" way to get to different places.  By this, he means the fastest way to reach that place.

I have a bit of the same feeling.  When I am on a trip, much like a runner at the Olympics, I am always looking for ways to shave a few seconds of our time to reach our destination.  At the same time, my focus should not only be on the destination, but on the journey to get there.  So much of life is a journey -- a trip made with others at our sides.  Some day, those fellow travelers will not be there and will have moved on to travel their own paths.

A day in which I walk beside my children and make some memories is a good day, even if no great goal is achieved or destination is reached.  My goal is not to get anywhere as fast as possible, but rather to enjoy the journey, seeing the sights and taking time to be with my fellow travelers on the path our heavenly Father has for us.

"Keep Working Till Lunch!"

"I'm hungry, Mom," Vince said.

"Well, maybe you could have some peanut butter crackers while you are waiting for me to get lunch done," Elaine told him.

"But Mom, at school I would be on lunch break now," Vince said.  "It is 12:08 and my break usually starts at 12:00."

Our children had a work at home day, due to a death in our congregation and Vince was trying to keep to his school schedule. 

"Vince, I'm afraid it will be a bit after 12:30 before I will have lunch done,"  Elaine said.  "But we will eat eventually."

"But what am I supposed to do until then?"  Vince asked my beautiful wife.

"Keep doing your school work, Vince,"  Elaine said.  "Wouldn't it be nice to actually be done with it by the time we sit down for lunch?"

Of course, this is a simple question.  Wouldn't it be nice to have your work done?  Unfortunately, the answer is complex.  Most children would like to be done with their school work at the earliest possible time, but they don't necessarily want to focus themselves on their work in the way necessary to produce this early completion time.

God has given us tasks to do.  Jobs, people to minister to, and even, children to prepare lunch for.  I think our tendency is to ask for more breaks.  "I've been working for awhile," we tell Him.  "Can you give me just a bit of time off now?"

His answer is to gently tell us to keep working for a bit longer.  He will give us strength for the moment and just as surely, at the right time, He will give us a break.

Perhaps God's schedule is not what we think it should be.  Maybe we think he should have more built in break time, but in the end, like everything else about Him, His schedule is perfect.

We just have to keep working till lunch time.

A New Year

2019 has just arrived.  I guess I'm getting old, because I seldom stay up till midnight any more to see the new year in, I just greet it the next morning when I wake up and so far, each year has  been satisfied with that reception.

Of course, there is only one January 1st each year, but then again, there is only one April 6th and September 20th too -- same as most of us only have one birthday each year (one is plenty).  The point though is not on the year, but on the new aspect of it.  It is a blank sheet of paper, a notebook, as yet with nothing written in it.

Looking forward, the pessimist in me wants to say that there is no reason for optimism.  Surely 2019 will be the same as most years.  It will have good things and bad in it, but surely I will remember the bad more than the good.

I don't think the questions I should be asking are things like,  "How much will other people bless me this year?"  or even "Will 2019 be a good year for me and my family?"  If that's what I'm thinking about, certainly 2019 will be a mixed bag at best.

The real question is "How much can I show love to others this year?"  Because by God's grace, I can be successful there.

There will be times that I find myself discouraged with the behaviors of others.  There will be moments when my children don't behave well or break something that I wish they hadn't broken. There will be times (like last night) when my son gets the stomach flu and clean up duty is in order at 3 am.  All of those things are guaranteed (and a bit depressing).

What is just as guaranteed is that I will have ample opportunity to bless others, just as I will have multiple ways in which I can draw closer to God.

So much of how I feel about the new year will be related to what my expectations are of it going in.  I would rather have those expectations be oriented around my relationship with God and how I can minister to the needs of others and with that, I believe I can expect a wonderful year.

Maps at Christmas

“What are you doing, Vince?”  I asked.  Vince seemed to be drawing a map, which wasn’t unusual, but above it, he had written something that looked suspiciously like a letter.

“I’m writing a letter to the Virginia Department of Transportation,” Vince told me.

“Really?”  I asked him.  “How do you know their address?”

“It’s right here,” he said, indicating the back of a map of Virginia lying on the table beside him. 

“They put the address for people to send suggestions to them.  I’m writing them a letter suggesting that they send me a map of Campbell County.

“I guess that makes sense,” I said, hoping that Vince’s hopes weren’t dashed when he didn’t get an answer from the folks at VDOT.

In the following days, Vince waited anxiously for the mail, hoping for an answer to his suggestion.  Each day, his hopes went down just a little bit more until one day, about ten days after he sent his letter off to Richmond, a fat envelope arrived.

“Dear Vincent Waldron (not John or Elaine),” the accompanying letter read.  “Thank you for the lovely letter and the drawing.  I have included some maps and goodies that can help you learn more and more about Virginia!”

There in the envelope were a couple of maps of Campbell County, but there were other maps of Virginia, a multi color highlighter, and some antiseptic hand spray.  Vince was thrilled beyond words.

I was thrilled too.  I don’t know what nice woman opened Vince’s letter and sensed a boy with an interest in maps, but she couldn’t have known how pleased she would make him through those maps and odds and ends.  It truly made his day.

Christmas time is a time when we give things to other people.  We plan out in advance the stuff we are going to give and when all else fails, we fall back on the tried and true gift cards.

But many times, the things that make the biggest difference are the little thoughtful things we do for others -- a kind word, or a complement.  It only takes a little thought and effort and it lifts someone else's spirits, like maps in the mail to a ten year old budding cartographer.

Snow and Children

"I hope we get a bunch of snow!"  Anna said.

"I think there's only supposed to be three to six inches," I said, knowing that the way meteorology works that that could mean anything from a dusting of snow to a foot of the icy crystals.

A couple of days later, the snow began to fall.  It came down in thick showers with only occasional breaks.  All Sunday it came down and by the time it stopped, there was a full 14 inches on the ground.

Throughout the day, I worked to keep our driveway clear.  Three different times I went out to start my riding mower and push piles of the cold white stuff to the edges of our drive.

I like snow, but it seems as though fourteen inches is a bit much.

The next day our children went out sledding.  All of them from Victoria to Anna had an awesome time as they careened down our little sledding hill.

I know from experience that adults and children have very different reaction to snow.  For children it means snowmen (and women), sledding, and time off of school.  For adults it means anxiety filled drives, back breaking shoveling, and just generally feeling cold.

I suppose that both are right, it is just a matter of perspective.

Reading the Bible I find that Jesus said that we need to become as little children in order to enter the kingdom of heaven.  I know that this means different things to different people.  It can mean growing in simple faith and honesty.  It can mean forgiving as children do and not holding grudges.  I think one of the things that stands out to me is having a childlike ability to see the beauty in the world around us.

I'm afraid that we adults tend to focus too much on inconvenience and messed up schedule and as a results can not see the loveliness of God's creation.  We need to stop, forget about our next appointment for just a moment and soak in the wonder of the sparkling snow.

There is beauty every day.  Even on days when the only thing we can do is try to build a snowman.

The Meaning of Thanksgiving

"Where did you get your cold?"  The lady asked me.

"Who knows?  I get exposed to all sorts of germs every day," I said.

"I'm sure that's true," she said.  "With your profession I'm sure you see all people with all kinds of 'flu bugs.'"

"That may be true," I said.  "But I think I catch far more illnesses from my children than from my patients.  I can do things at work that protect me, but my children have a way of fighting through any precautions I might put into place."

Before I had children, I imagined there would be many things that I would experience when my wife and I had children.  I don't know that I ever thought it would mean that I would get to enjoy the thrills of every upper respiratory infection that passes through our little community.

What does not kill me certainly will boost the stock price of Hall's cough drops...

We have reached the time of year when we not only get flu bugs, but we have to be grateful.  Among other things, I am thankful for the minions that spread those flu bugs within our household.

I say this in a joking way, but everything good thing in our lives also has a "downside."  The difference between a grateful spirit and a pessimistic, discouraged attitude has to do with focus.

All too often, my focus is on the dark clouds and not the highlights of silver that surround them -- even when there is far more brilliance than darkness.

I am thankful for my children, even when they share their coughs and snotty noses with me.  My life is richer because of them and realizing that is the beginning of the most important part of Thanksgiving, a grateful heart.

Swift to Hear

"How's your neck doing?"  I asked the older African American gentleman.  We were standing in the Food Lion parking lot.

"My neck is fine,"  he told me.  "But my left arm is still numb and tingly."

Fortunately, I suppose, this was not a patient of mine.  I knew him from where he had come in with a family member to the office and he told me about his arm.  I had wisely suggested that he seek medical attention from his doctor.

"I know," I said.  "But often that comes from a pinched nerve in your neck.  Have you seen your doctor yet?"

Ben nodded gloomily.  "I tell you," he said.  "She don't listen to much of what I say.  I no sooner start to tell her what is going on then she's got something to say and I have to stop talking."

"That's not good," I said.

"No,"  Ben said.  "I'm sure she's really smart, but how can she figure out what will help me when she don't hear the symptoms I'm having and what I've done to try to fix them?"

It was a good question.  Clearly it is hard to make informed decisions when you don't have all the facts.  There is something more.  People will never believe that you really care if you don't take the time to listen to them.

Doctors are the same as other people.  We are a lot better at talking than listening.  At the same time it is a profession that depends on us actually hearing what our patients are telling us.

The book of James says "...let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger."  Truth to tell, I have focused more on the anger part of this verse.  That's good.  People shouldn't have to worry about whether they will say the wrong thing and I will blow my top, but it is just as important that I seal my lips and listen, both to my patients and to others in my life.

Only then will I hear what others are saying.

Only then will they know that I care.

The Leading Physicians of the World!!!

"Dr. Waldron," the letter read.  "You have been picked as one of the top physicians in Brookneal, Virginia!"  The letter went on to explain to me about a book that my name would be featured in.  It wouldn't cost me anything and all sorts of people would get a copy of the book and discover how I ranked highly among my peers.  It all sounded pretty amazing.  All I had to do was go to a website and verify some biographical information.

I had to laugh.  There are only two physicians in Brookneal and for me to be picked as only one of the top doctors is not particularly a great honor.  Beyond which, it all seemed like a scam designed to get some money out of me in some way or other.

At the same time, I have to be honest and say that I did read the letter very carefully.  I've known for a long time how amazing I am, but it was a bit gratifying to have someone else realize it as well.

Advertisers and scammers know how to use our pride against us.  They see how we want to be recognized and figure out how to use that to get us to get their products.

If other humans can use our pride, Satan is ever so much better at using this weakness against us.  He sees our desires to be smarter or more beautiful or more famous and he promises that he can give us all that and more, if we will just follow his path.

There is only one problem.  Satan's path doesn't lead where he says it will.  More than that, pride will only get us into trouble.  "Pride goes before a fall..." the writer of Proverbs wrote thousands of years ago.  Nothing has change in the 21st century

It is only when I gain a humble spirit that I can move from being one of the Leading Physicians of the World to being a simple family doctor and actually help my patients.  It isn't about who gets a copy of a book with my photo in it or whether I win some award, it is about whether I take the time to listen to the 80 year old lady sitting across from me and cut her toenails for her.

Even if no one every finds out who I am, I can care for people in need.

Concern for Others

The older lady looked over at me as I bent over my computer, trying to get her prescriptions in order to send to the pharmacy.  "How's your Mom?"  She asked me, conversationally.

"Oh, ahm, I think she's doing pretty well," I said, knowing that the lady didn't know my mother at all.

"Well, tell her to have a Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas from me," she said.  "And while you're at it, let her know to have a Happy Halloween too."

"Sure," I said, trying to picture my mother walking around her neighborhood dressed up as something unusual.  I just couldn't do it.

"Remind her to be sure to get all of her candy checked out before she eats any of it too," she said, imparting one last piece of pithy advice.

"I'll try to remember to let her know," I said, finally hitting send on the prescriptions.

I have many little conversations every day, some with my patients, some with my children, and some with random people I have contact with.  I don't remember most of them, but this one stood out to me.

Part of it was that it amused me quite a bit, but it was more than that.  Here was a woman who was concerned about my mother -- not because she knew her, but because she was my mother.  The concern expressed was real and not put on.

I find that it is easy to think of people we are related to and those who are our friends.  When they are in trouble, we remember them in prayer and we reach out to them when they are in need.  It is awfully easy to forget people who are just as needy, but who we don't know well or haven't seen for awhile.

There is something gained when we broaden our circles and reach out to pray for and care for people we aren't closely connected with.  The people we pray for will be blessed, but so will we, one caring pray at a time.

Avoiding Illness

"Elliot, why don't you sit over there on the couch?"  I asked him, as I watched him try to squeeze into a chair next to his three year old sister, who wasn't having any part of sharing her seat.

"I can't sit there!"  He said.

I looked at the couch.  It was completely empty of occupants and I could see no pythons, wolverines, or other terrifying creatures lying in wait for unsuspecting sofa sitters.  "I think you probably can," I told him.

"No!"  He said.  "Vince was sitting there before supper and I don't want to catch what he has."

Vince has been sick, running a fever and just not feeling like himself.  Elliot, knowing that febrile illnesses are caused by germs, was trying to avoid them as much as possible, while still living in the same house as the diseased individual.  I could just imagine coming home from work the next day to find him making a pile of Vince's things to burn them, like they did with the toys at the end of the Velveteen Rabbit.

"I think," I said, in what I hoped was a rational sounding voice.  "If you want to avoid germs, probably the best way is to start washing your hands more regularly.  That seems to work pretty well to stop the spread of contagious illnesses.  How many times did you wash your hands today, Elliot?"

He was silent for a bit.  "I think once,"  he said, pretty honestly.  "After I fed the dog and cat, I know I washed them.  But washing hands is different.  It would take terribly much time to wash them all of the time.  I'd rather just stay away from germs."

Elliot clearly has some concept of the germ theory of disease.  He also has a fear of getting sick.  The problem is that the things he does to ward off illness -- things like not sitting in a seat his brother occupied a couple of hours before -- aren't nearly as helpful as just washing his hands.

There is no doubt that it is easier to prevent illness than to treat it after it happens.  At the same time, I see people all of the time who choose to not take care of their chronic illnesses, not get routine screening tests, and who avoid vaccinations who show up at my office asking me to help them with something that is far worse than it needed to be.

Of course I will do whatever I can to help them.  Although, I will often gently mention to someone running a 102 fever, "Maybe you should get a flu vaccine next year."

Far more important, Jesus has set out for us a pattern to live by.  Purity in thought and action, love in word and deed, and a focus on Him are all things that we are called to do and when we follow this path, we avoid all kinds of evil.  Our relationships with others are simply better when we choose to follow this simple path.

It isn't an easy road, but it is the most successful at warding off evil and bringing real joy into our lives and that's far more important than avoiding your brother's virus.

A Trip to New Orleans

"So, how was your vacation?"  My patient asked me.  "You don't look very tan.  Did Hurricane Michael keep you off the beach?"

I laughed a little.  "I was in New Orleans for a medical conference,"  I told the older lady.  "Hurricane Michael was fortunately pretty far east of us.  I guess it's hard to get tan from fluorescent lights and I was inside learning a chunk of the time I was there."

"Oh," she said, a little disappointed.  "I thought maybe you went somewhere interesting."

"New Orleans is pretty interesting," I said.  "But it was more about me learning things I didn't know before.  Don't I look smarter than the last time you saw me?"

"Not really," she said.  "But I'm glad if you learned a lot."

I generally go to some medical conference every year.  It isn't to meet people, to get a tan, or even to see the sights in different places, it is to sit through somewhat boring lectures and learn a few things that I can put into practice to help my patients.

Maybe I could get by without continuing medical education, but I know that over time, my patients would suffer.  I want to be the best doctor I can be for the sake of the people I serve.

In any arena of life we have the option of coasting by or of putting forth maximum effort.  Some things probably aren't very important -- it probably doesn't matter if you develop ultimate skill in buttering bread or brushing your teeth, but in most things it is better to do our best.

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might..." the writer of Ecclesiastes wrote many years ago.

He was right.  We will have so much more satisfaction and those around us will gain as well, if we do all things, as if we were working for the Lord.

Even if maybe our tans aren't the best.

A Googloplex

"Vince," Elliot said importantly.  "Do you know what 'de-zillion' is?"

"That's not a word,"  Vince said, a bit shortly, I thought.

"Yes, it is,"  Elliot said.  "It means ten years, doesn't it Dad?"

"I think you actually mean the word 'de-cade,'" I said.

"Oh,"  Elliot said and then paused a moment.  "I was really close to what it actually was."

I often find it interesting how my children use number to describe things.  A few months ago, when Elaine was experiencing severe back pain, Elliot was praying for her in our family worship.  "Please God," he said.  "Please help Mom feel a googolplex times better."

Apparently this is the biggest number that he knows and in the context of his prayer, it was a very kind thing to say.  Even though Elliot has no idea what a googolplex actually is, his Heavenly Father heard and knew exactly what he meant.

I have always thought that it is wonderful that God can understand what we mean, regardless of the words we use to say it.  He isn't impressed with our vocabulary or our grammar.  He doesn't struggle when we use words that aren't quite right for the situation.

Paul in Romans chapter 8 said "We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with wordless groans.  And He who searches our heart knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God."

It is such a blessing that God hears our hearts cries and answers them, even when our words are stilted and broken. 

He reaches down and gives peace, healing, and leading through the darkest days.

Even to make a little boy's mother a googolplex times better.