A Gift Of Light

A Gift Of Light

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. 1 John 4:16

“They just told us that Rhonda’s bone marrow transplant wasn’t as successful as they initially thought.” Rhonda’s husband, Phil, had just stopped me in the hallway during my rounds.

“What happened?” Rhonda was my patient, and I was concerned.

“Apparently, she had a virus that was dormant since childhood, but it was awakened when they introduced the new bone marrow cells.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said.

Over the next few days, I stopped by Rhonda’s room during rounds. I watched as her strength dissipated and she began to develop fevers. In Rhonda’s circle of friends, she had always been known as the one to call when things were down—she always brightened a bad day. Now as those friends stopped by to express their love for Rhonda, I watched as she received the gift of friendship she had been giving out her entire life.

When faced with the prospect of her impending death, it was easy to find examples to reassure Rhonda of the love of God that surrounded her. She was in love with Jesus and faithfully placed her trust in him. I knew that her only hesitation about running into his arms was concern for her family to find that love as well.

On Tuesday morning when I arrived, Rhonda’s room was quiet. The sun hadn’t yet come up; the eastern-facing window was still dark. I could see her lying in the bed with three people sitting beside her—Phil and their two children. We all sensed that her time was near.

I asked Rhonda if we could pray for her. When she nodded, I invited Phil to join us. Something about that prayer reassured Rhonda that her kids would be left in her husband’s capable hands to continue her legacy of love. She smiled as her heartbeat and respiration slowed. Over the next two hours, she didn’t say another word, but her face glowed as her body slowly released her soul into eternity.

When Rhonda left us that day, she left the world a better and brighter place because of the love of God she had showered on all who knew her.

TODAY’S RX

God’s love surrounds us and protects us from all fear and pain—even in our darkest moments.

Father, I pray that my life will reflect your love and that my actions and words will make this world a better, brighter place.