"Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began, "I'll open up your
heart..."
"You'll find Jesus there," the boy interrupted.
The surgeon looked up, annoyed. "I'll cut your heart open,
"he continued, "to see how much damage has been done..."
"But when you open up my heart, you'll find Jesus in it.”
The surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly.
"When I see how much damage has been done, I'll plan what to
do next."
"But you'll find Jesus in my heart. The hymns all say He
lives there. You'll find Him in my heart."
The surgeon had had enough. "I'll tell you what I'll find
in your heart. I'll find damaged muscle, low blood supply,
and weakened vessels. And I'll find out if I can make you
well."
"You'll find Jesus there too. He lives there."
The surgeon left. The surgeon sat in his office,
recording his notes from the surgery,"... damaged aorta,
damaged pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration. No
hope for transplant, no hope for cure.
Therapy: painkillers and bed rest. Prognosis:," here he
paused, "death within one year." He stopped the recorder,
but there was more to be said. "Why?" he asked aloud. "Why
did You do this? You've put him here; You've put him in this
pain; and You've cursed him to an early death. Why?"
The Lord answered and said, The boy, My lamb, was not
meant for your flock, and will forever be. Here, in My
flock, he will feel no pain, and will be comforted as you
cannot imagine. His parents will one day join him here, and
they will know peace, and My flock will continue to grow."
The surgeon's tears were hot, but his anger was hotter. "You
created that boy, and You created that heart. He'll be dead
in months. Why?"
The Lord answered, "The boy, My lamb, shall return to My
flock, for he has done his duty: I did not put My lamb with
your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another lost lamb."
The surgeon wept. The surgeon sat beside the boy's bed;
the boy's parents sat across from him. The boy awoke and
whispered, "Did you cut open my heart?"
"Yes," said the surgeon.
"What did you find?" asked the boy.
"I found Jesus there," said the surgeon.
