Waiting Room Wonder

It is miraculous to see the way God uses doctors to bring about the healing that we need. They have certainly been our heroes in this COVID season! God imparts wisdom and grace on doctors so they can physically walk us through the journey of healing. But when a doctor is passionate about both medicine and Jesus, even their waiting room can bring about unexpected miracles.

A local Christian chiropractor, Dr. Matteus, wasn’t even in the waiting room the day that two people collided for a divine meeting. A petite, approximately 90-year-old, Louise was sitting patiently waiting for her turn to go in and visit with Dr. Matteus. When one of our team also stopped by for a chiropractic adjustment, he struck up a conversation with Louise and ended up getting more than he bargained for. As they discussed COVID, vaccines and mask protocol, Louise boldly said aloud, “I’ve got Jesus!” Seeing that familiar twinkle in her eye, he replied, “So do I!”

With Jesus as their common ground, Louise began to share her testimony and lifelong experience of being in relationship with God. Stopping short, she said, “Oh, I’ve said too much, how about you?” Our team member went on to share the joys of working for God through CLI Prison Alliance. He shared passionately about our mission to reach inmates globally through Christian books, Bibles, and Bible studies. As he spoke, Louise became distracted, rummaging through her purse. Just when he thought he might’ve lost her attention, she popped up with a $20 bill. “Was this her copay” he thought. Louise wobbled up out of her seat and made her way over to place it firmly into his hand. In this brief exchange, Louise was so deeply moved by hearing all that God was doing through CLI, she too wanted to be a part of it. She said, “Put this towards the ministry. I love what you all are doing!” She then turned to go into her appointment.

Our staffer was left in the waiting room, full of wonder at what God had done in this seemingly chance encounter. With a smile on his face and an “only you God” laughter in his spirit, it was time for his appointment. He recounted the story of Louise to Dr. Matteus, knowing that he too was a believer. The doctor went on to share that he’d recently had another patient that was a volunteer with CLI. It was beginning to seem like this doctor’s office was a meeting place for people passionate about the goodness of God. And truly, it was! It is what happens when we as believers begin to look at our occupations as more than an accumulation of skillsets and tasks. Each day, when we walk into our place of business with the spirit of God alive within us, we create an atmosphere ripe for divine encounters. And when we keep the business of heaven on our lips, we may just get more than we bargained for.