The Time I Didn't Give the Doctor a Piece of My Mind

A few months ago Brad injured himself while playing softball with his church friends. He was in so much pain that he broke down and went to the doctor (which he rarely does). He even went to 2 doctors. Well, it's a very long story and he is ok now, but the bills have been pouring in ever since. We received 1 bill in particular last week that he and I both felt was unfair and decided to protest it. After some back and forth with the doctor, it was determined that we must pay the bill or face consequences. I was ready to keep fighting the fight, but Brad thought it best to just pay it and be done with it. So I agreed. But not before I had drafted a letter to the doctor. Yep. You guessed it. I was ready to give him a piece of my mind in regards to his care of my husband. Don't mess with the Simple Mama!!

This morning I was listening to my favorite radio station, Air 1 (101.7 for you local folks) and I kid you not when the news story that came on was about doctors. They talked about how a new study revealed that 50% of doctors are burnt out with their caseloads and new clerical duties. 50 percent! The DJs encouraged us to be kind and patient and appreciative of our doctors. Ummm, hello... I'm pretty sure that message was just for me. And in that moment my heart softened.

Luckily I hadn't had time the day before to mail the bill and letter. So I got a piece of paper and drafted a new letter. I wrote this letter not out of anger like my original letter but in an attitude of grace. I hand delivered the letter and the payment clearing our debt to the doctor today.

I share this not to tell you about our problem (that's why I'm being vague on the details), but to boast in my Heavenly Father... how He speaks to me even when I don't ask or forget to listen. The Lord knew that I needed reminding to be compassionate, forgiving, and understanding...even when it doesn't seem deserved. 

Some may call this weak or say that we were giving in. And it's true. We did give in. And we are weak. But we are made strong in Him and that is worth so much more. 

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV