At the surgical center where I work we have different doctors using our facility each day to perform eye surgery on their patients. Our doctors are male and female, old and young, and from various ethnic backgrounds.

One day many months ago, Dr. Farid (NOT his real name   Names have been changed to protect the privacy of those I write about) had finally arrived to perform surgery. His patients had already arrived and we had them ready and waiting for their procedures. I watched Dr. Farid go into the restroom. Many minutes passed by. “Oh GEEZ,” I thought. He’s been in there a LONG time and we all know that a guy, in the morning, in the bathroom, and for a long time can only mean one thing. And I was not going in there to pee for quite a while after HE got done if you know what I mean. I mentioned to a co-worker who had worked there longer than me, “Dr. Farid has been in the bathroom for quite a while now.” Her quick and easy response was…

“He’s praying.”

What??

Now I don’t know if Dr. Farid is Arabic, or Muslim, or even what country he is from. I do know that he is a very nice man and treats his patients with great respect. I also know that if I were going to have surgery, I sure would be pleased to know that my surgeon prayed before operating on me.

On surgery days when Dr. Farid is operating, it is now part of the expected sequence of the morning to see him disappear into the bathroom before any surgery begins.

Why can’t we Christians be more devout and unashamed about our faith?

What if we all got on our knees before starting our day?

Now we might not all be going to work to perform critical or even life-saving surgery on patients each day, but don’t you think we could pave the way to a better day if we asked God to join us and lead us?

Thank you, Dr. Farid, for your example.

Just Laurel

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.