Surgical Spirit: The bad-tempered surgeon

“He remembers that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:14b)

Many years ago, a taxi driver came to the surgery. Whenever he walked more than a few yards he was incapacitated by a terrible pain in his calves. The pain stopped when he stopped. In those days we called it ‘intermittent claudication’ (now PAD: peripheral arterial disease). This is a grand title for clogging up of the arteries supplying the legs: the pain is caused by a lack of oxygen getting through to the muscles. He needed a referral to Mr X, the local vascular expert, famous for his surgical brilliance and irascible manner.

I was worried about that referral. I guessed my patient would be roundly lectured about his size (20 stone) his smoking (40 a day) and his exercise level (zero). But I knew this man. I knew his background, his childhood, his bereavements. I knew his friendly smile and how he would help the old folk with their shopping, charging a minimal amount for the ride. I admired him. He had big health issues but got up every morning, went to work and supported his family. I put all this in my letter and concluded: ‘He is fully aware that smoking is a major risk factor and is trying to cut down. If you had his life, you would probably smoke two at a time: please be kind.’ 

The consultant wrote back: ‘Thank you for referring this obese, chain-smoking, sedentary individual who is lucky to have legs, let alone arteries to supply them. We shall be performing angioplasty and stenting in the very near future. Meanwhile, thank you for the informative letter of which we have taken full cognisance. Fear not. We shall deal gently.’

Knowing the frailty of the patient evoked compassion even in that cantankerous surgeon. How much more does the good and infinite God know my weakness and have pity!

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed.” (Psalm 103:13,14a)

May this Scripture encourage us when we know we have failed (again). God is a loving father, understanding and forgiving much immaturity and foolishness. His care and love do not depend on our strength or ability; he knows, to quote Matthew Henry’s commentary on this Psalm, ‘how little we can do, how little we can bear’.

May it discourage pride. I can have such a big opinion of myself but God is under no such illusion. He knows that I am made of earth’s elements (Genesis 2:7), of dust.

Prayer

Father of compassion and God of all comfort, I humble myself in your presence. In your mercy and for the sake of your dear Son, forgive my folly and transgression. May the reverence and fear of your name be my delight and may I know that I am truly your child.

Ruth Eardley is a GP and member of Affinity partner Little Hill Church, Leicester. She writes a regular piece for her church entitled ‘Surgical Spirit’. We have been given permission to reproduce some of them. This is her latest contribution.