The Lord Always Goes Before Us

“I lift up my eyes to the hills where - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1

Harvest was long, tedious, draining and bathed in prayer. My husband, Terry’s, long-time shoulder pain had gone from bad to excruciating. Harvest’s finish was within reach when Terry entered the house one evening and said, “I can’t handle this pain any longer.”
    That was my cue to contact our “unofficial medical consultant” and friend, Dr. Ken Ney, in Indianapolis for a surgical recommendation. Ken is always a gem in this regard and this time was no different.
    ”Ken, Terry needs a shoulder replacement and we’d like your connections for this,” I said.
    ”Susie, I have two cycling buddies, Drs. Sebastian Peers and David Meyer, who have Reconstructive Hand to Shoulder of Indiana in Carmel,” said Ken. “They’re great guys and well respected.”
    Thinking it would take weeks or months to get an appointment, I Googled their names and practice and called.
    “Hello, I’d like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Peers or Dr. Meyer. My husband needs to have shoulder surgery,” I said.
    ”Sure. You don’t have to have a referral but we ask if you do,” said Cat, the practice manager.
    ”Yes, Dr. Ken Ney referred us.”
    ”Absolutely, Dr. Ney often refers us,” Cat replied. “Dr. Peers has an opening on December 18.”
    What?! Who gets into a surgeon so quickly? Of course we said a fast yes.
    Terry’s appointment was an answer to prayer. Dr. Peers does “lots of farmers shoulder replacements.” When he said he “loves farmers” because he grew up shoveling manure and baling hay on his grandfather’s farm, we knew the Lord had provided him for Terry.
    He walked out to Cat’s desk to schedule surgery. She told us January 27 was open. We told her we’d be out of town. Dr. Peers piped up, “Didn’t I have an earlier cancellation?” (What doctor knows if he has a cancellation??) Indeed, he had December 23 open and we grabbed it.
    Terry’s surgery went “perfectly”, according to Dr. Peers. According to Terry’s occupational therapist, he’s doing “phenomenal.”
    The Lord always goes before us, is behind us, and flanks us on either side.