`I'm Sorry to Disturb You, But...'

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11th November: `I'm Sorry to Disturb You, But...'

And the peace of God,... will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (NIV)

Its 3am. I have just undressed, lain down and put the light out when the phone rings. A cheerful casualty officer tells me he has a young woman with ten hours' history of abdominal pain, anorexia and diarrhoea. I remember he has slept all day, and will go off duty at nine just as our ward round starts -- and feel envious.

I look to the mountains; where will my help come from?
My help will come from the Lord, who made heaven and earth'.

My temper is not improved with sleeplessness, and although I try my hardest, I cannot feel very sympathetic towards my patient who undoubtedly has an acute abdomen, which my registrar will want to open tonight.

`He will not let you fall; your protector is always awake.
The protector of Israel never dozes or sleeps'.

The atmosphere is quite different at night; we busy ourselves in theatre while the city sleeps on, For a while, concentrating on assisting, I forget my own tiredness, but then I can no longer stifle a yawn, and I realise my feet are suddenly aching and I imagine climbing into bed between cool sheets, stretching out and closing my eyes, and my concentration fails and is rewarded by sarcasm from the registrar. I know I shall feel awful in the morning.

`The Lord will guard you, he is by your side to protect you.
The sun will not hurt you by day nor the moon during the night'.

Walking back to the Mess later, the dawn is just breaking -- beautiful, rich colours across the eastern sky, although the west is still a dark velvety blue. The morning star has arisen, and the birds are beginning their noisy chorus. No mountains in the city, but the awe of creation remind me again of the opening lines of the psalm. I cannot meditate on the words -- I just have not the energy, and I shall probably get up as late as I dare. All I can do is let the words stay in my mind, and believe them.

`The Lord will protect you from all danger,
he will keep you safe. He will protect you
as you come and go now and forever'.

Ps 121 (GNB)