Who Is The Victim (LB)

          Sometimes it is interesting to look back and see what was happening to you and what you were thinking about years ago.  I've kept journals since 1996 and I often find it interesting to look back at what I wrote and thought was important years ago.  The same is true with my blogs which I have published weekly since 2008, although I was actually blogging elsewhere years earlier than that.

          I had added a new feature to my hymn blog called "Timeless Hymns" in which each month I edit and repeat a hymn blog that I had published several years ago.  So I thought I might try the same thing with this, my personal blog.  I'm calling the feature "Looking Back" and this is the very first installment.

           "Who Is The Victim?" was published September 16, 2008.

Last winter I looked out our bedroom window and noticed that there were footprints  in the snow coming off the street and across our backyard.  It had snowed that night so the prints were very visible in the inch or so of newly fallen snow.  

          Later I went out back to investigate and found that the tracks went across our small patio to our backdoor, which fortunately was locked.  I then followed the tracks around to the side of the house to our den door which was also locked.  Next they went to the side door to our garage which had been left unlocked just in case we had a major snowfall which knocked out electricity and I would need to get into the garage for the snow blower.  The door there was partially open but the entrance was actually blocked by our riding mower.  I checked inside the garage and nothing appeared to be missing or out of place.  

          The prints then left our house and went to our neighbors.  I thought that maybe I should report this to the police even though nothing was stolen or disturbed.  About 30 minutes later a police officer came, retraced the path, took my name and left.  I felt that I had done my civic duty!  Mistake number one!  

          Weeks later I began to get numerous lengthy forms in the mail.  I was classified as a victim and had to complete these forms.  I could have qualified for all sorts of help - including emotional counseling.  I kept returning these completed forms and continued to report that I didn't feel that I was a victim.  I didn't require any help.  Mistake number two!  

         Then, months later, I received a subpoena from the district attorney that required me to appear at a trial on October 3 in the Lancaster County Courthouse.  Now it would be more of my time and extra gas expense.  I guess I could have refused to go and not show up, but that might have been mistake number three and I might have been in real trouble.   So, I began to wonder, was I really the victim?   Should I have requested emotional counseling?  The system was making me really feel like a victim and I thought that I was just doing my civic duty.  

          I guess the lesson I was learning is to be like others and not get involved.  But that is the wrong attitude - at least I think it is - or is it?   Well, I decided that I'd just go and testify of my "major" knowledge of the case and gain another new experience in life.  I guess here is always more to be learned ... by victims ... and by non victims. 

           Note - I never did have to go to court.  They found the wanderer -  a drunken Millersville University student - and they eventually settled out of court.

(1)   When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God hath done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

(2)   Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,

And you will keep singing as the days go by.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God hath done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

(3)   When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;

Count your many blessings—wealth can never buy

Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God hath done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

(4)   So, amid the conflict whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged, God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God hath done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

From Small To Big

          Change, change, change.  If you live long enough you will experience many changes.  Many are good, some are very difficult to adjust to.  As the hymn writer wrote, "Change and decay in all around I see. O Thou who changest not, abide with me".  Thankfully He never changes - the same yesterday, today and forever.
          In the past year we have had many experiences with the medical field and I was recently thinking about how so much has changed in this field.
          As a child I actually had my tonsils out - in a doctor's office in Bethlehem.  I don't recall too much about it except that I can still smell the either that was used on me for the surgery.  It's a smell that I wish I could forget.

          Growing up in Lititz we generally went to Dr. Griswald who worked out of a home on Broad Street.  I recall that he didn't make appointments and one could sometimes sit for hours waiting to be seen.  He also did some home visits when necessary. A few times we had to see another local doctor who also worked out of a home. But he at least did have some sort of a machine to take x-rays.

          Things continued the same until we got married.  Then we went to Dr. Heinbach who worked out of an apartment on the main street of Selinsgrove.  He was the one who told my father-in-law that my wife was pregnant even before he confirmed it with us.  Not sure that would even be allowed today with current privacy regulations.

          A few days after we moved to Silver Springs in Lancaster County, our first son began to cry with stomach pain.  When he developed blood in his bowels we had to seek out a new doctor and the Lord led us to Dr. Bryson in Landisville.  At that time I was working in an orchard and when I came home we rushed our son to Dr. Bryson.  When he saw what was going on he immediately contacted a surgeon and sent us to the hospital.  Craig had a rare bowel condition that needed immediate surgery.  A few hours later the surgery was successfully done.  The rare condition seldom happens in children until they are at least two years old.  Craig was just four months.  Most doctors never see a case of  this serious intestine condition, but Dr. Bryson had - in his own daughter.  We believe that God did a miracle to send us to Dr. Bryson.

          And, as you can imagine, Dr. Bryson became our family doctor for many years.  He also worked out of his home.  He had one nurse and his wife often assisted him.  He was very good to us over the years, handling our needs at all hours of the day and even on holidays.  He also dispensed medicine from his home office.

          But things change and as he got older Dr. Bryson developed heart problems.  So he closed his practice to have his problem taken care of.  He actually then turned his practice over to Dr. Howse who continued to work out of Dr. Bryson's home until he later took a job teaching at Hershey.  Before he started there, he recommended specific new doctors to his patients.  Our recommendation was Dr. Stengle, a young doctor also working in a home in Lancaster.

        We enjoyed dealing with Dr. Stengel who had a small practice with one nurse and an office clerk.  After several years, one Monday my wife called to make an appointment and she found the clerk crying.  The Friday before, the doctor had blood tests taken and on Monday morning the results came back and he found that he had cancer.  So he immediately closed his practice knowing that he had many days of difficult treatments ahead.  It was a sad day for all of us.

        After checking with numerous medical offices, we finally found a doctor who would take us and we began seeing Dr. Snyder at a small practice in Oyster Point.  It was a change for us as this practice had about six doctors who worked out of a remodeled and expanded country home.  We soon felt at home there and were cared for by many good doctors over the years. Incidentally, after he went into remission, Dr. Stengle actually joined the staff there and worked part timethere until his death. We eventually chose to see Dr. Fuchs, the founder of the group.  He became a very good friend and took a personal interest in our needs.  He was a very caring doctor.

          But change happens and a year ago Dr. Fuchs retired, as did our back-up doctor, Dr. Weed.  This has been a very difficult adjustment for us and we have not found replacements who measure up to them.  And then they sold the Oyster Point practice to the Penn State group and a multitude of changes have resulted, including the sale of the original building and the moving of the practice to a brand new modern building at Lime Springs.  The modern building has 76,000 square feet and houses five medical practices and many support services including those for lab work, radiology, physical therapy, ENT and eye and heart testing.  It also will offer an After Hours program.

          A few days ago the new building opened and we had our first appointment there. It was a shocking change. First we had to manage our way through the new phone system. Then a huge waiting room greeted us with probably about 20 check-in cubicles.  There are four different wings housing doctor offices.  Unfortunately the facility presently seems sterile and cold, much different than the smaller, tastefully decorated offices that we were used to for many years at Oyster Point.  And it seems that today doctors are focused on their computers and quickly refer their patients to specialists instead of treating the problems themselves.  They's also limited the schedules of the doctors and it is almost impossible to see the same doctor twice unless you make an appointment a month or more in advance.  Both of us had to see three different doctors in our first visits there.  My "family doctor" told me to come back in a month but he had no appointments available for two months.  Hopefully, over the years we will adjust to these changes. But it is a stark contrast to the facilities and care that we have experienced over the years -  from offices in homes to a massive multipurpose facility.

          Will their service be better?  Will we be able to see doctors who know us and care about us?  Will we happily adjust to these changes?  I guess time will tell.  And I probably could make similar comments about changes in churches - but that is a topic for another time.  Change happens - sometimes good ... sometimes not so good.

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;

The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;

When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;

Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away;

Change and decay in all around I see—

O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour;

What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's pow'r?

Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?

Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;

Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;

Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;

Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;

Heav'n's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;

In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Wonderful Exercise

        For many, the start of a new year is a time to set new resolutions.  Many of these include some sort of exercise plan.  With that in mind, I remembered a blog that I posted on September 3, 2008 and felt that it would be appropriate to post once again.  So enjoy!

Not all gifts turn out the way they were intended.  This is not my story, but one that was sent to me. 

          "For my birthday this year my wife purchased me a week of private lessons at the local health club. Though still in great shape from when I was on the varsity chess team in high school, I decided it was a good idea to go ahead and try it. I called and made reservations with someone named Tanya, who said she is a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and athletic clothing model. My wife seemed very pleased with how enthusiastic I was to get started. They suggested I keep an "exercise diary" to chart my progress ....

          Day 1. Started the morning at 6:00 AM. Tough to get up, but worth it when I arrived at the health club and Tanya was waiting for me. She's something of a goddess, with blond hair and a dazzling white smile. She showed me the machines and took my pulse after five minutes on the treadmill. She seemed a little alarmed that it was so high, but I think just standing next to her in that outfit of hers added about ten points. Enjoyed watching the aerobics class. Tanya was very encouraging as I did my sit ups, though my gut was already aching a little from holding it in the whole time I was talking to her. This is going to be GREAT ....  

          Day 2. Took a whole pot of coffee to get me out the door, but I made it. Tanya had me lie on my back and push this heavy iron bar up into the air. Then she put weights on it, for heaven's sake! Legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made it the full mile. Her smile made it all worth while. Muscles ALL feel GREAT .... 

          Day 3. The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the tooth brush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I am certain that I have developed a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer. I parked on top of a Volkswagen. Tanya was a little impatient with me and said my screaming was bothering the other club members. The treadmill hurt my chest so I did the stair "monster." Why would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by the invention of elevators? Tanya told me regular exercise would make me live longer. I can't imagine anything worse .... 

          Day 4. Tanya was waiting for me with her vampire teeth in a full snarl. I can't help it if I was half an hour late, it took me that long just to tie my shoes. She wanted me to lift dumbbells. Not a chance, Tanya. The word "dumb" must be in there for a reason. I hid in the men's room until she sent Lars looking for me. As punishment she made me try the rowing machine. It sank .... 

          Day 5. I hate Tanya more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. If there was any part of my body not in extreme pain I would hit her with it. She thought it would be a good idea to work on my triceps. Well I have news for you Tanya - I don't have triceps. And if you don't want dents in the floor don't hand me any barbells. I refuse to accept responsibility for the damage, YOU went to sadist school, YOU are to blame. The treadmill flung me back into a science teacher, which hurt like crazy. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like a music teacher, or social studies? ....

         Day 6. Got Tanya's message on my answering machine, wondering where I am. I lacked the strength to use the TV remote so I watched eleven straight hours of the weather channel .... 

          Day 7. Well, that's the week. Thank goodness that's over. Maybe next time my wife will give me something a little more fun, like a gift certificate for a root canal."    Now have a great day and be careful what you give for presents! 

1.     There's a voice calling me 

from an old rugged tree,

And it whispers "Draw closer to Me.

Leave your world far behind

There are new heights to climb,

And a new life in Me you will find.

For whatever it takes to draw closer to You, Lord

That's what I'll be willing to do.

And whatever it takes to be more like You,

That's what I'll be willing to do.

2.     Take the dearest things to me

If that's how it must be

To draw me closer to thee

Let the disappointments come

Lonely days without the sun

If through sorrow more like you I become

For whatever it takes to draw closer to You, Lord

That's what I'll be willing to do

And whatever it takes to be more like You

That's what I'll be willing to do

3.     Take my houses and lands,

Take my dreams and my plans.

I place my whole life in Your hands.

And if You call me someday,

To a land far away,

Lord, I'll go and Your will obey

For whatever it takes to draw closer to You, Lord

That's what I'll be willing to do

And whatever it takes to be more like You

That's what I'll be willing to do

bridge

I'll trade sunshine for rain, comfort for pain

That's what I'll be willing to do

For whatever it takes for my will to break

That's what I'll be willing to do

And whatever it takes to be more like You

That's what I'll be willing to do

But God

          This is a repeat of a blog which I first posted on November 22, 2008.

          Years ago I had a small book entitled "BUT GOD". It was a very inspirational book. But recently when I really wanted and needed to reread it, I found that it is now missing. Hopefully I gave it away to somebody who really needed it. Isn't that just the way things often go? 

         The Bible includes numerous "BUT GOD" experiences. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph said to his brothers, "you thought evil against me, BUT GOD meant it for good." In Genesis 48:21, Israel told Joseph, "behold I die. BUT GOD shall be with you". When Pharaoh changed his mind and began to pursue the Israelites, in Exodus 13:18, it is written "BUT GOD led the people about". In I Samuel 23:14 Saul sought David every day, "BUT GOD delivered him not into his hand". In Psalm 73:26 David cries out "my flesh and my heart faileth; BUT GOD is the strength of my heart". In Acts 13:19 - 30, it says that they took Jesus down from the cross and laid him in a sepulchre, "BUT GOD raised Him from the dead". 

          "BUT GOD" incidents are God's interventions in impossible situations. The Bible is filled with them and hopefully our lives are too - His intervention in our lives, in His time. Honestly, with the pressures we are facing right now, I'm praying and looking for another "BUT GOD" experience.  And, I know He will intervene - in His time, not mine. 

         Maybe you, too, are facing difficult, seemingly impossible situations right now. Trust a loving Father who will intervene with strength, wisdom, and peace when He knows that His children need help. Things may seem impossible or overwhelming, BUT GOD ...  May that be our strength as we enter 2019!

1.    Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2.    Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake

To guide the future, as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know

His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

3.     Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,

And all is darkened in the vale of tears,

Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,

Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.

Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay

From His own fullness all He takes away.

4.     Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord.

When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.