Thank You Doctor

“Thank you, doctor. Thank you, doctor.” These words were ringing in my ears on Monday. They have surfaced in my quiet moments over and over again. Three simple words, but they have impacted me greatly. I pray they will touch you in a similar manner.

I have said these words many times; after surgery, when I have been diagnosed and then prescribed a medical cure. Thanking the doctor for her expertise is second nature to me and those of you who know my family know I have had ample opportunity to practice my gratitude for medical professionals. But these words came from my 2 year old grand-daughter, Savannah.

My daughter was working on Monday, so I was being a good grandfather and taking my grandchild for her 2 year check-up. We were having a great day. I picked her up early from daycare and we read books while we passed time in the waiting room. We saw pictures of Mickey Mouse and his 21st century competitor Sponge Bob Square Pants hanging on the walls. We were quickly called back to a room and she was weighed, measured, and vitals were taken. Then the bombshell was dropped in my lap; she needed five shots! Not a shot, but five.

Savannah didn’t understand what the nurse was whispering to me, but she knew something was up when I leaned across her and held her hands down at her side. I was having a small sampling of the feelings Abraham must have had as he bound Isaac to the bundle of fire wood. Now she began to understand, and she began to squirm.

“Hold her still,” the nurse said. “Sweetie, this will keep you from getting sick,” she said to Savannah. Then as she stuck the needle in my grand-daughter’s thigh, not once, but FIVE times, Savannah began to cry and cry out, “Thank you, doctor. Thank you, doctor.” The nurse said that in all her years that was a first for her to hear gratitude from a hurting baby.

I learned some heavy duty theology from a 2 year old on Monday. It was the same theology Job learned in his misery when he said, “Will I accept good from the hand of God and not evil?”

When we left that place, sucker in hand (she got one too), we headed straight for 2 year old heaven; McDonalds. I bought her a Happy Meal. I got her 2 prizes. We played in the play area. We had fun! And now, I know that my little girl will not have to face some of the dreaded childhood diseases that claim little lives every day. There is only one thing I can say. “Thank you, Doctor!”