Wayne Weekly “Getting On the Nerve Doctor’s Positive Nerves”
Written by Wayne Taylor on May 3, 2019
My wife Evie unfortunately must contend with a neurological disorder. As part of the treatment she receives seven to nine Botox injections in her neck every three months at a neurological clinic in Rochester. I go with her to these appointments, of course.
As I sit in the injection room just feet away from my wife of 38 years, I see a woman who bravely faces her physical condition with full trust in the Lord. The injections cause contorted facial movements, wincing, guttural groans, but I soon recover and I survive my ordeal. Regarding Evie, well she calmly endures the entire ordeal with little reaction.
Now, Evie’s doctor is young. I mean if you saw her out of the medical center you might be tempted to ask what high school she attends. Of course, as I get older, everyone looks too young to really know a whole lot about anything, especially neurology! This woman was only married a few years ago and now has two little girls. She and her doctor husband struggle to find time to be a family, but work on it with vigor. Evie and her doctor sometimes exchange small talk about children and husbands (and, yes do the “husband talk” right in front of me!).
A few times I have asked the doctor if I might pray for her and her family. She has always been open to do this. I am not assuming that she knows the Lord, I just don’t totally know. I really think she appreciates the prayer, however. When you show yourself as genuinely concerned about someone’s welfare, if you work to exemplify Christ’s love and strive to love others as we’re commanded to do, this generally opens doors into a person’s heart. It may not happen on the first, second, or even third try, but keep trying. You’ll know if the doors closed.
The Lord has given a charge to us. We’re to “do the work of an evangelist”. We all don’t have the spiritual “gift of evangelism”, but we can in some way “do the work of”. Some are great writers, some use their musical talent as a witness for the Lord. Maybe you’re just a “social animal”, you have the gift of gab, you just love interacting with people, you look for opportunities to verbally share your faith. However you might be wired, use it when opportunity arises to “be a transporter of the Good News”.
Get on someone’s nerves in a positive way. The neurons that discharge may just be the pathway to their heart.
“But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5
