Rockingham Remembered
Short Stories
What's Inside The Heart
"Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began,
"I'll open up your heart..."

"You'll find Jesus there," the boy interrupted.

The surgeon looked up, annoyed "I'll cut your heart
open," he continued, to see how much damage has
been done..."

"But when you open up my heart, you'll find Jesus in
there," said the boy.

The surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly.

"When I see how much damage has been done, I'll
sew your heart and chest back up, and I'll plan what
to do next."

"But you'll find Jesus in my heart. The Bible says He
lives there. The hymns all say He lives there. You'll
find Him in my heart."

The surgeon had had enough. "I'll tell you what I'll
find in your heart. I'll find damaged muscle, low
blood supply, and weakened vessels. And I'll find out
if I can make you well."


"You'll find Jesus there too. He lives there."

The surgeon left.

The surgeon sat in his office, recording his notes
from the surgery, "...damaged aorta, damaged
pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration.
No hope for transplant, no hope for cure.

Therapy:
painkillers and bed rest. Prognosis:, " here he
paused, "death within one year."

He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be
said. "Why?" he asked aloud. "Why did You do this?
You've put him here; You've put him in this pain; and
You've cursed him to an early death. Why?"
    
The Lord answered and said,
"The boy, My lamb,
was not meant for your flock for long, for he is a
part of My flock, and will forever be.
Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, and will be
comforted as you cannot imagine. His parents will
one day join him here, and they will know peace, and
My flock will continue to grow."

The surgeon's tears were hot, but his anger was
hotter. "You created that boy, and You created that
heart. He'll be dead in months. Why?"

The Lord answered,
"The boy, My lamb, shall return
to My flock, for He has Done his duty: I did not put
My lamb with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve
another lost lamb."

The surgeon wept.

He sat beside the boy's bed; the boy's parents sat
across from him.

The boy awoke and whispered, "Did you cut open my
heart?" "Yes," said the surgeon. "What did you
find?" asked the boy.


"I found Jesus there," said the
surgeon. "Just like you said I
would."