A week ago, they checked me into the ER and I had to answer a barrage of questions.  I found out later, when reading my chart, that they mistakenly listed my race as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.

Hmm!  The last time I looked in the mirror I was Caucasian.  I didn’t know that they could medically change your race – not that I wouldn’t mind being a Native Hawaiian with their beautiful bronzed skin and superb surfing skills

But there I was in the ER with telltale chest pain.  The cardiologist found that my enzymes were up, and they needed to quickly perform a heart cath. 

Two stents later I woke up to a nurse asking me, “What is your name?”  I groggily replied her, “James Johnson.”  She asked, “Do you know where you are at?”  I said, “Yeah – the Whitehouse?”    She looked at my wife Sharie with alarm who assured her I was kidding.

Yep, I had me a heart attack.  It was quite a surprise!   Each year I would get a physical exam and my numbers were always good.  Cholesterol was in check and blood pressure good. My primary doc told me “Whatever you are doing keep it up!”   I replied, “You mean not eating right or exercising?”  (I really said that.) 

As I lay in the ER room groaning with pain, I was glad to have my sweet wife by my side as well as my wonderful daughter.  They laid hands on me and prayed. 

I was also comforted knowing that my Jesus was with me.  I was not afraid – in pain yes, but not afraid.  In fact, that verse from Philippians kept skipping through my mind, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” – Phil 1:21. NIV

I have preached to others the significance of that verse.  I have quoted it and explained it at many funeral services.   I wanted folks to know that the most fearful thing is not death, but a prolonged life on this planet locked into a degrading body.  Death is God’s merciful way of releasing us of that burden and ushering us into a much sweeter and better existence with Him. 

Ah, but of course it is easy to talk about such a transition, another to travel it.  So, there I was, not sure where the next few hours would take me.  But, in looking back, I am pleased that my thoughts were on my Lord. 

And He sovereignly decided that I needed to stay on for a bit longer and experience the words, “to live is Christ.” 

Thanks to Jesus and my daily dose of baby aspirin my heart sustained no permanent damage.  This was truly welcome news. 

But the episode was certainly an inconvenience.  I am semi-retired, but I am busy with ministry.  I care for folks as Hospice chaplain; I still preach and teach some; Sharie, Brenda Waskowiak and I are busy singing the praises of Jesus 3-4 times a month.  So, I wondered why the Lord would put all that in jeopardy. 

He had His reasons.  I suppose it was something like this, “Jim I still have a good deal of work that I want you to do.  You need to take care of your body so that you’ll be around to do it.” 

I was released from the hospital the day after the stents – and the day after that, I went for a brisk 30-minute walk.   I may also have to reduce my intake of Bluebell. 

Thanks to those of you who found out through the grapevine of my heart attack and inquired and prayed.  Thanks also to the excellent team of health care professionals at Longview Regional Hospital.  

Oh, and by the way – if a week goes by, and I have not posted another installment of pickleheavenpress, either I had a senior moment or I have moved on to that place of gain – and you can be happy for me.

A PRAYER: God I am thankful for an extended opportunity to serve You.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord be with you always.