” While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:15-17
I have been living with diabetes for almost 14 years. About a year ago, my pharmacist ( Sam ) asked me if I wanted to do blister packs. These are the plastic packages with your pills for every meal and at bedtime.I said ” No” without thinking . I saw it as getting old and maybe a little bit of thinking it would mean I had failed. Then about nine months ago my nurse practitioner asked me the same question. I said ” no ! ” quickly.
Then about six months ago the pharmacist asked again. A few days later at the doctor’s office she asked me about the Libre system of checking your blood. It is a sensor and you scan a monitor over it, and it gives you the reading immediately. No pricking and no blood. Amazing. She then asked me again about the blister packs . Ok, I will try it. Then the light went on for me.
The pharmacist had noticed that I missed my pills ( because the pill bottles lasted longer than they should have) , and the nurse knew I hated pricking myself, so they conspired together to make life better for me. Neither admit it , but they do not deny it. They had my better interests. They want the best for me ( as does my wife )
Sometimes I do not realize what better things I need. I am a sinner in need of God’s grace. I am just like the men in the story above who thought they knew who the sinners were. I didn’t realize how ” sick ” my attitude was in terms of my medications and testing . I am not one of the righteous, but I am a sinner and I walk softly into this world. I am now proud to do blister packs and the Libre ( means freedom ) scanner. This old dog has learned a new trick(s).
Prayer Thank you God, for Sam and for Maria. And for all those people who want the best for me. Amen.
Fred
Soaring like Vultures lifted up by unseen Hands Trust, silent enters my fears Monica Pieper Landoni 2021
