"It may be said with a degree of assurance that not everything that meets the eye is as it appears to be." 

~Rod Serling  

Episode 7:

The Clinic

(www.ambassadorsforJesus5.com)

     Mary sat in her car looking at the medical complex in front of her. Her day was full of surprises and quite eventful, and it was only 11:30am.  She couldn’t wait to see what the rest of it held, especially the look on Nancy’s face when she gave her the good news.

     For some time now Mary had not been feeling like her usual self.  At times she felt like she may be losing it.  Her grievances and emotional highs appeared to signal that something was amiss.  Her husband had been patient and kind through it all, assuring her he understood and would see her through.  Mary was very grateful for his compassion and support, another reminder how wrong her family was about him.  Blessed with good looks, Mary could have had her pick of the litter.  Yet she knew this about Scott.  He was one of those rare breeds that stuck by others through thick and thin.  Loyalty was at the top of her "love language", something she and Scott shared. 

     As wonderful as Scott had been, when her condition didn’t improve her concerns progressed to worry.  Others told her it was all in her head and she just needed a new outlook on life.  Although Mary saw the validity in what they shared, she had a gut feeling that something deeper was going on.  She could feel the activity transpiring below the surface.

     Mary knew if she were to get to the bottom of this and  remain sane through it all, she needed to keep close to the Lord. To share openly and honestly with him. At times she would sense Him close by as He would wrap her in his peace. These precious moments with Him were seeing her through.  Although Scott was a comfort to her, she knew nothing could replace the touch of God in her life.

     Mary also felt a prompting to visit her family physician.  Doc, as she affectionately referred to him, had been her physician for some time now. He loved the Lord and was dedicated to helping others through his field of expertise.  She knew he sought Him on behalf of all his patients.  With time Doc's caring ways and work ethics had gained her trust.  It was he who called her personally with the good news, Mary was pregnant.

     The pieces to her puzzling behavior had begun to fall into place.   In her womb a child was being conceived. Furthermore, she had been carrying the child for several weeks now.  Concern over her mental state was now replaced with the joy and excitement of this wonderful labor of love.  She couldn’t wait to share the good news with Nance.

     She and Nancy had been friends for years, yet they had fallen out of touch for some time.  Nancy had moved away but  a recent job transfer landed her back home.  Since then they had reconnected over the phone.  Mary had shared some of her concerns with Nancy who raved about the "cutting-edge" doctor she worked for as if he were some far-out rock star.  She mentioned going through something similar and in no time he had fixed her right up. There seemed to be more than gratitude going on and as she thought of Nancy’s “school girl crush” account of her employer, she could not help but smile. Although her references to his work left her with the feeling his patients were more of a science project than people to nourish and care for. 

     Nancy suggested Mary meet her at the clinic so they could go for lunch and discuss it further. Originally she had suggested  Mary go in for a consultation, but Mary didn’t want to make any commitments without first seeing Doc.  After all, Doc had her history, knew her well, and she was familiar with his work ethics.

     Returning back from memory lane, Mary stepped out of the car and proceeded to enter the medplex.  Once she reached the suite number she looked at the door in puzzlement. ‘This couldn’t be the right place', she thought to herself. The sign read, “The Clinic” but the logo seemed to indicate it was an abortion clinic.  Mary reached in her purse to pull out the directions Nancy had given her and saw it was no mistake. Thinking there MUST be a good explanation she took a deep breath and entered in. 

     The structural set up was that of a typical medical clinic with a waiting room situated in front of the reception area.  The walls were black and white, which did nothing to add some warmth to the chill in the air.  And although the lighting was poor, Mary was able to make out the matter-of-fact advertisements along the walls.  That is when she noticed the others.  

     Her attention was drawn to three women who were obviously in a lot of discomfort.  A sudden wave of deep grief washed over her.  Mary wondered what drove them to seek help from an abortion clinic?  Is this what they wanted or did they feel they didn't have a better option?  Their companions' reactions to them incensed her as they seemed insensitive to the women's fragile state.  ‘You would think they had no idea these women may be pregnant’ she thought to herself.  Further thoughts of them being pressured into terminating a pregnancy had gripped her and instead of inquiring about the whereabouts of her friend, she decided to grab a seat and listen in.

     From what she could make of it, the women were passionately going over their grievances with their companions and instead of making some allowances for the circumstances, their companions seemed to harp on their behaviors.  They went on about how hard, uncomfortable, and inconvenient it was for THEM.  She could see the validity in some of their complaints but it seemed an awful shame that they appeared so insensitive about it, especially since these women were very possibly carrying the bulk of the burden of bearing a child.  Even if each felt they couldn't handle it anymore, a support group would seem better than this.  Incensed enough with the situation, she decided to speak up.

     “Excuse me for intruding...” she began and while trying to keep her cool she continued, “but I overheard the conversation and if you don’t mind me saying, I think you should take into consideration the fragile condition these women appear to be in.” Her comments seemed welcomed by the grieving women, yet their companions looked at her as if she were some over-zealous activist.  With stern looks on their faces they loudly complained about the continuous complaints they had to put up with.  They also stated that is why they were there.  One continued, “With all due respect to you and YOUR KIND, we have had enough of the petty complaints.”

     Mary was taken aback by that straight-forward comment.  It felt like someone had thrown cold water in her face.  Mary knew she and the women were on the other side of the playing field regarding the situation, yet she wondered where their hearts were.  Before she knew it, she loudly shot back, “How dare you all paint such an ugly picture of what may very well be pregnancy!!!  So is THIS the reason for your visit here?  Do you despise the God-given privilege to bear child?  I’m sorry it isn’t that easy for you all but it seems to me that pregnant women "OF MY KIND" are carrying the bulk of the burden there and as such you may want to think twice about how you treat what may very well be a woman with child!”  Then she addressed the women, “There are other options you know.  If you are with child, you don’t have to be pressured into terminating a pregnancy!  With the proper support and medical care, the process can be an awesome labor of love!”

     Her comments were met with incredulous looks and dead silence.  For several moments you could hear a pindrop as no one made a sound.  Then the room turned into total chaos and she heard loud noises coming from the reception area. Next thing she knew, a security guard was by her side escorting her out.

     Mary thought of doc’s way with words and knew hers were somewhat lacking the grace of his, yet she reasoned to herself, 'Who would not be incensed with such a grievious situation?  Ever since she laid her eyes on the place her insides were in a knot and the pressure continued on an upward slope.  She knew something had to give and apparently it would be her.  Once again she under-estimated her level of tolerance although in this case she felt more confident that was a good thing, even if her delivery may have needed work.  She still intended to take this fiasco to the Lord for a heart check and any blindspots on her behalf.

     As she was quickly escorted out of the place she heard the voices from the waiting room calling to her, “What did you say? Pregnant?” They sounded baffled and she wondered how well they heard her.  It had suddenly dawned on her that they may not have known they may be with child, or the type of clinic they were in. 

     Back on the outside looking in, she once again found herself staring at the building in front of her, this time with an overwhelming sadness that overshadowed her happy day.  Mary wrapped her arms around the small bulge along her waist in a protective gesture.  As she was about to turn and head on back home she saw someone running after her.  Her initial thought was that it was the security guard looking to ensure she continued on her way.  With a prayer for the women still inside, she turned to go.

     The person called after her.  Recognizing the voice she turned to meet one of the grieving women. With moist tears in her eyes she smiled at Mary and thanked her for what she shared with them. The women then hugged each other and cried.  It was a bittersweet moment of sadness for the women there, and joy for what may be her child’s life. 　

     Mary invited Helena to lunch.  She then tried to reach Nancy on her cell phone to apologize for the scene, briefly explain, and change their luncheon date for another day.  Nancy picked up only to quickly inform her she had to go due a commotion in the lobby.  It appeared Nancy didn't know she was the cause of it.  Mary then quickly apologized for cancelling their luncheon date at the last minute.  She noted that something important came up and added that she looked forward to rescheduling.  Grateful Nancy understood, Mary hoped she would be as understanding when she eventually discussed with her the details of her visit there. 

     The women found a restaurant and once they settled in Mary shared some pertinent things she learned from the Lord about grievances, and with the help of others like Doc.  Encouraged by Helena's genuine interest she went on, "As Doc would say, 'A doctor’s work first begins with having his instrument in tune with the Lord while listening to his patients.  Listening is more than just hearing your patient. Many people hear without listening.  Listening requires a sort of inactive participation on the hearer’s side.'  Continuing he would say, 'A seasoned doctor listens to his patient’s sing and catches those out-of-pitch notes.'"  She and Helena smiled as they discussed the pleasant picture he painted regarding their grievious complaints.

     She continued, "Then he would go on and say, 'And this is where many in my field stop short and fail to successfully treat their patients. They hear those out-of-pitch notes and are too quick to diagnose the issue. They then treat the symptoms instead of getting to the root of the issue.'  He would liken it to hearing an out-of-tune piano.  Some assume there is something wrong with the piano.  Whether that is the case or not, they then keep striking the key hoping with each strike they will eventually extract a different note from the instrument.  Sadly he would also comment that some in their immaturity and zeal would look to extract from the body something that wasn't meant to be taken out.

     Doc noted, “Sometimes there is nothing wrong with the patient. No foreign objects to extract.  It can be a normal part of the body's reaction to life as we know it.” He said beyond helping his patients see that, offering to ease their burden where he could, and keeping their condition monitored, there wasn’t much more he could do.  It was like the changing seasons and with time it would cycle through.  Through it all he pointed them first and foremost to the Lord to see them through.   

     Then he spoke about the wonderful new songs birthed with new seasons.  Yes, her doctor had a God-given gift for these things. The years of fine-tuning his instrument with the Master Physician showed.

     The women shared a wonderful lunch.  It was extra special in the sense that each was sharing in a similar experience.  She knew when one spoke the other understood at a deeper level.  At the end of their luncheon date, they exchanged phone numbers.  Mary also provided Helena with Doc's number, yet she concluded how important it was to personally hear from their Great Physician, the Lord, for themselves.  He knows each case personally and can lead them well.

     Mary drove home happy about what transpired at lunch.  She thanked God for the day and for her new friend.  The dark clould had lifted as she saw how the events eventually unfolded. 

     Narrator:

     Although it is true the seeds of sin give birth to fruits of death, resulting in pain and suffering, some personal sin on our behalf isn’t always the reason for our pain and discomfort. Sometimes our pain and sufferings are the result of the slower and more labor laden route of “walking out our humanity” in its present state. As we share our grievances and pain with our Heavenly Father, in that intimate time He can water his seeds implanted in us and give birth to his life through us.  It may be something like new revelation and a new personal ministry.  If we are ignorant of these things we may assume, and be told by others, that this wonderful process is something we need to rid ourselves of.  In ignorance and with the nudge of others, we may find ourselves aborting this process instead of consulting with the Lord to ease the burden on all.

     It does help to have those seasoned believers to help guide us through the process.  Thank God for them.  Even so, with all things one needs to eventually hear from the Master Physician, the Lord for themselves to progress from the twilight hour into the break of dawn.

     Romans 8:26-28

     We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.  Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.  For in this hope we were saved.  But hope that is seen is no hope at all.  Who hopes for what he already has?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

     In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.