T
TBahl
Guest
I would just like to let everyone know that I've had a very special prayer answered in my life. I work in a factory, and the mechanic in my department is named Russell. He's a wonderful man. Whenever there's a problem he's right there to fix it. He's very kind, always has a smile when he looks at you; he's funny, and is able to joke with anyone on the floor. He looks big and intimidating-(6-feet tall, incredibly muscular, and covered in tattoos), but he's honestly a great, big teddy bear! I feel like he and I have a more personal bond than just co-workers - nothing romantic or anything, but a friendship. Whenever he comes by to fix something he always stops to ask how my day is going and I do the same for him. He's even taught me a bit about the machines and how I can fix them on my own, because he knows I hate to call him over simple mishaps. Over the year's time I've been working there we've really become friends.
Just a month or so ago, Russell seemed to be not doing so well. When he would walk by he wouldn't make eye contact with anyone, let alone smile. When he came by to fix machines it was as simple as that; just fix the machine and leave. At first I thought it was just a bad day for him, then a bad week. It got to the point where I knew there was something seriously wrong. He was just walking past my station when I stopped what I was doing and finally asked, 'Russell, are you okay?' It honestly broke my heart when he looked at me and said, 'Who, me? No, I'm not okay.' He went on to tell me that he'd been to a doctor for some pain in his neck and abdomen. After a series of tests and scans the results came back, and the news wasn't too good. He's got 3 ruptured discs in the back of his neck, and arthritis in his lower back. The arthritis is the worst that his doctor has ever seen. The doctor said the discs in his neck were so damages that they'd have to put pins and rods in to avoid it getting worse and damaging the spinal cord. The surgery, even if successful, would lead to a total inability to turn, bend, or stretch his neck. He would no longer be able to work and he would have to go on disability after over 20 years as a mechanic at the factory. I was speechless for a few moments, but realizing we both had to get back to work I told him I'd pray for him, and that things would work out, and all he said was, 'Meh.' I'm sure I shed a few tears after he had gone.
For the next few weeks we didn't talk much. Every now and then he'd come by and tell me about some procedure that would perform in Germany if he could get there, or some new experimental surgery that could fix him right up, but wasn't approved for treating humans yet. He was a bit happier, but still seemed lost. I gave him a card during that time. I told him how I didn't mean any disrespect or offense, but how I believe that everything is in God's hands and that it would all work out for the best. He thanked me kindly, and that was the last time I'd talked to for about 2 weeks.
I noticed throughout this week that he'd been so much happier! He was walking around and smiling and laughing. The old Russ had come back! I hadn't had a chance to talk to him until last night, and I got the best news I could; There was a hospital in Philadelphia that was doing a minimally invasive surgery that would remove the part of the ruptured disc that was causing problems and cauterize it so it wouldn't grow back. He wouldn't need any pins or rods, the surgery has a 94% success rate, and he'd be recovered and back to work in no time!
All of that was wonderful, but there was something that really stuck out to me. Everyone at our factory has a choice between Geisinger Insurance and Blue Cross-Blue Shield. Our of the 300+ people that work in our factory, Russell is THE ONLY ONE who has BC-BS instead of Geisinger, and the surgery isn't covered by Geisinger, but it is by BC-BS. I do not believe in luck, and I cannot see that as a complete and utter coincidence. To me, that is just showing that God had this all planned out way before we even knew about it.
After I'd told him how happy I was to hear that he look at me and smiled, and he said, "You know, it's not guaranteed but I have hope. At least I have hope." His eyes were shining so brightly when he said that, and as he walked away it took all I had to keep from crying tears of joy! Before I got back to work I took the time to thank God for everything He's done, everything He's doing, and everything He's going to do. Thank you for reading, and God Bless you all!
All glory and honor to The Lord Almighty! The One and only, the great I AM!
-Tyler ^-^ <3
Just a month or so ago, Russell seemed to be not doing so well. When he would walk by he wouldn't make eye contact with anyone, let alone smile. When he came by to fix machines it was as simple as that; just fix the machine and leave. At first I thought it was just a bad day for him, then a bad week. It got to the point where I knew there was something seriously wrong. He was just walking past my station when I stopped what I was doing and finally asked, 'Russell, are you okay?' It honestly broke my heart when he looked at me and said, 'Who, me? No, I'm not okay.' He went on to tell me that he'd been to a doctor for some pain in his neck and abdomen. After a series of tests and scans the results came back, and the news wasn't too good. He's got 3 ruptured discs in the back of his neck, and arthritis in his lower back. The arthritis is the worst that his doctor has ever seen. The doctor said the discs in his neck were so damages that they'd have to put pins and rods in to avoid it getting worse and damaging the spinal cord. The surgery, even if successful, would lead to a total inability to turn, bend, or stretch his neck. He would no longer be able to work and he would have to go on disability after over 20 years as a mechanic at the factory. I was speechless for a few moments, but realizing we both had to get back to work I told him I'd pray for him, and that things would work out, and all he said was, 'Meh.' I'm sure I shed a few tears after he had gone.
For the next few weeks we didn't talk much. Every now and then he'd come by and tell me about some procedure that would perform in Germany if he could get there, or some new experimental surgery that could fix him right up, but wasn't approved for treating humans yet. He was a bit happier, but still seemed lost. I gave him a card during that time. I told him how I didn't mean any disrespect or offense, but how I believe that everything is in God's hands and that it would all work out for the best. He thanked me kindly, and that was the last time I'd talked to for about 2 weeks.
I noticed throughout this week that he'd been so much happier! He was walking around and smiling and laughing. The old Russ had come back! I hadn't had a chance to talk to him until last night, and I got the best news I could; There was a hospital in Philadelphia that was doing a minimally invasive surgery that would remove the part of the ruptured disc that was causing problems and cauterize it so it wouldn't grow back. He wouldn't need any pins or rods, the surgery has a 94% success rate, and he'd be recovered and back to work in no time!
All of that was wonderful, but there was something that really stuck out to me. Everyone at our factory has a choice between Geisinger Insurance and Blue Cross-Blue Shield. Our of the 300+ people that work in our factory, Russell is THE ONLY ONE who has BC-BS instead of Geisinger, and the surgery isn't covered by Geisinger, but it is by BC-BS. I do not believe in luck, and I cannot see that as a complete and utter coincidence. To me, that is just showing that God had this all planned out way before we even knew about it.
After I'd told him how happy I was to hear that he look at me and smiled, and he said, "You know, it's not guaranteed but I have hope. At least I have hope." His eyes were shining so brightly when he said that, and as he walked away it took all I had to keep from crying tears of joy! Before I got back to work I took the time to thank God for everything He's done, everything He's doing, and everything He's going to do. Thank you for reading, and God Bless you all!
All glory and honor to The Lord Almighty! The One and only, the great I AM!
-Tyler ^-^ <3
