I'd like to share a devotional that I came across today on Facebook, which was shared by Larry Dentler. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Great lessons learned!
Bermudian Church of the Brethren
WEDNESDAY’s WORD – a midweek thought from Pastor Larry M. Dentler
to share a word of inspiration … encouragement … challenge … a smile … in the middle of your week
October 5, 2011 – #439
OUCH!
I have a “stumper” for you today!
Why would anyone dump a cup of scalding hot water on their head?
That’s what I did yesterday.
No … not because I’ve finally gone off the deep end.
No … not because the stress was getting to me.
No … not because I was hungry for attention.
Give up? OK … let me explain how this bizarre moment happened. It was a beautiful sun shining morning! The sun felt so good. First day in a while with sun shining. It lifted my spirits! I had a full, busy day planned as I came to the office, but was looking forward to the work. A cup of hot tea sounded just perfect as I began my work. I heated the tea water. Bubbly … boiling hot. Placed the hot cup on my desk on my cup warmer. Put in the tea bag – a new licorice-spice flavor I was anxious to try. Three sugar cubes from the glass jar on my desk. Opps! Dropped one of the sugar cubes and it rolled under my desk. No problem … I got down on my hands and knees to retrieve the run away cube. I’m not sure exactly what happened next? Maybe I bumped the desk. Or maybe I rubbed against the cord of the cup warmer. But the cup of scalding hot water came off the desk and over my head. OUCH!
I knew right away I was burned and needed to cool the area so I got cold wet paper towels and began to try to cool my head and ear. As the moments went on I knew I had a serious burn. I couldn’t stop the burning. Since I was in the church alone I began considering my options. I finally decided I just better call 911 and ask the ambulance to come. When the ambulance crew came they wanted to take me to the hospital. They said I had second degree burn open areas on my ear and first degree burn on my scalp. I told them I didn’t really want to go to the hospital if it wasn’t absolutely necessary. They said if not to the hospital then I needed to be seen by my family doctor immediately.
By this time Judy Jarvis & Barb Stern arrived at the church … gotta love those scanners! My Sisters took me to see my doctor who got me in right away. The ear was bandaged and antibiotic burn cream and a precautionary antibiotic were prescribed. Before too long I was back at the church and ready to FINALLY get to work. I never did get to try my new licorice-spice tea!
Later after all the days activities my “in-home” nurse took good care of me helping me clean up and re-bandage the ear. She found another open area of burn on my scalp. I slept fine, not in too much pain, and other than feeling REALLY DUMB, and looking a little silly with my Dumbo-like ear, I’m fine today!
How do you explain … simply … how this happened? “Oh, I just happened to dump a cup of hot tea water over my head!”
But as I replay the events, it is easy to imagine a much more serious outcome. What if the boiling water had hit my face, my eyes, or gone into my ear? Perhaps an angel shielded me from a more serious burn. Thank You Lord, I know this little, dumb accident could have been much worse.
“For the Angel of the Lord guards and rescues all who reverence Him.”
Psalm 34:7 LB
I wonder sometimes … if we are very unaware of a thousand interventions by our God on our behalf everyday? I’ve come to believe that there are very few coincidences in life. As you rush through your day today … pause … say a little “thank you” prayer for the way your Lord watches over you in so many ways each moment, each hour, each day – in many ways you may never fully know!
Burning for the Lord! Pastor Larry <><
STAND FIRM 2011
3 comments:
Rhonda, Thanks for putting Larry's post out to more people. We get his posts and I think he does a great job and bringing Bible into to daily life. I have sent his posts to Ben in hopes that Ben can get some ideas from Larry. I think it's great that you simply put Larry's post on "The Thing" ! Larry was one of Stan's teachers when he was studying for ministry. He was also Stan's mentor. We have a lot of respect for him and his style. Ben's Mom
That is, a great job of bringing
Awesome! I'm glad you were blessed by the post! I have only been "Facebook" friends with Larry for a short time, but I thoroughly enjoy reading his weekly posts on Facebook. :-)
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