The Heart

"Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began, "I'll open up your heart..."
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"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..."
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"but when you open up my heart, you'll find Jesus in there," said the boy.
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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."
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"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."
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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."
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"You'll find Jesus there too. He lives there."
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The surgeon left.
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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."
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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?"
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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.
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His parents will one day join him here, and they will know peace, and My flock will continue to grow..."
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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?"
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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...
The surgeon 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?"
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"Yes," said the surgeon.
"What did you find?" asked the boy.
"I found Jesus there," said the surgeon.