The Big "Oops"

Lets imagine we’re a patient lying on an operating room table. We're awake for our “procedure” (which seems like so much more than that word encompasses when it’s us having “the procedure”). Nonetheless, here we are, with a screen in front of our face so we can’t see what’s happening on the other side. The area being operated on has been “frozen” with good drugs that numb any, and almost all, of our pain. We can feel some tugging and pulling, but overall we’re feeling pretty comfortable. We turn our head slowly from side to side, peering at our unimpressive and colourless surroundings, noting the weird smells that all operating rooms have. We are conscious enough to hear everything, and finally we smile when the doctors tell us they’re almost done. They begin stitching us up and we feel relieved, knowing that soon it will be over. But suddenly … we hear it.  "Oops!"

“Oops” is not a word we wanted, nor expected, to hear from one of the professionals working on the other side of the screen! Everyone instantly stops what they’re doing. Silence ensues and we suddenly think of the episode of Seinfeld, when Jerry and Kramer fight over a Junior Mint that eventually lands inside a patient’s abdominal cavity. Of course, that can’t be our problem, since no food, or comedians, are allowed in real operating rooms.

“Oops?!” we hear ourselves exclaim, as we unsuccessfully try to peer over the barrier cloth. 

“It’s okay. The doctors will fix it,” assures the calm voice of a nurse helping on the other side of the screen. 

Although we’d like to ask more questions, we feel reassured when eventually someone fesses up, and the staple or suture that went awry is easily fixed. But, why the “Oops”? That didn’t need to be said out loud!

(Although the above scenario didn’t happen to me, my daughter will never forget that c-section.)

Can you think of a time when you’ve heard something that was either said out of place, and/or shouldn’t have been said at all? I certainly have. But my larger, more humiliating admission is: I’ve too often heard unnecessary words spew out of my own mouth.

For someone who wants to live for the Lord and be a testimony of His greatness, I certainly struggle with this. Lets just say — I’m no Mary — the mother who cradled our Saviour and quietly pondered things in her heart (Luke 2:19). If I’d been Jesus’s mom I’m guessing I would’ve shouted it from the rooftops, and even sought some attention for myself.

This blog is, admittedly, more for me than anyone else today, but if you can relate in even a small way, know that I feel your pain and, too many times, eventual humiliation. 

I thank God daily for His grace and forgiveness. Although I fail often, I know He’s with me, ready to forgive and help me through the times I must ask for additional forgiveness from my friends and family.

He is SO GOOD!

Ephesians 4:29-32 (NASB1995) “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

May the words out of our mouths be kind, loving and forgiving, as we enjoy the soon-to-come end of summer. (Now ... did that last part really need to be said?)

Keep smiling and God bless you!

Love,

Pattie 

As always, if you have prayer requests, my email is: pdjanz11@gmail.com, message me privately, or send a message to me through this website.  Always confidential.