Heart History

I had coronary by-pass surgery in May or June 1973 in Denver, CO. This procedure was recommended again by my cardiologist in 1980. I was President of the Big Sky Area of American Baptists at that time so I scheduled the surgery for early October after the Annual Convention. Today, (4/9/09) I scheduled a time to participate in a Prayer Vigil at our Church so I took along a couple of books of prayer for use. A book of Prayers for the Christian Year published for the Church of Scotland and John Baillie's Diary of Private Prayer. It has been a while since I looked at either of these volumes. In one I found three prayers I had written at the time of the 2nd heart surgery - this time in Billings at what was then known as Deaconess Hospital, now Billings Clinic. Here is the prayer written 10-8-1980 at 5:30 a.m.

"Lord God, now in this hour of my need let me feel your presence. And as surgeons and nurses prepare for what they must do this morning be with them as well - for we are all in this thing together. Thanks for the sleep gotten through that little pill. Be with Betty, and all the children to "keep them loose", and bring us once again to joy in this your earth. Amen."

After it was over I wrote the following:

"Thank you, God, for the skill and dedication of all nurses and aides and those who perform the routine tasks of the hospital. It is through their hands that we are comforted as it is in your hands that we are kept. Help each of us, employee and patient alike, to know that healing is a God-function, and help us to do our part to aid that process and that hope. Amen