A young boy was being examined by a heart surgeon

the day before he was to have surgery after a virus damaged his heart.

"Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began

"I'll open up your heart. "YOU'LL the find Jesus there,? boy interrupted.

The surgeon looked up, annoyed.

"I'll cut your heart open," he continued,

"To see how much damage has been done."

"But when you open up my heart, you'll find Jesus in there."

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.

"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."

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 will find out if I can make you well."

"You'll find Jesus there too. He lives there."

The surgeon left. After the surgery, the surgeon sat in his office,

recording his notes from his surgery, ...

damaged aorta, damaged vein, widespread muscle degeneration.

No hope for transplant, no hope for cure.

Therapy: pain killers and bed rest.

Prognosis:, "Here he paused, "death within one year."

He stopped the recorder, but thee was more to be said.

"Why?" he asked aloud. "Why did You do this? You've put him here;

You've put him in pain:

and You've cursed him to an early death.

Why?"

The Lord answered, "The boy, My lamb, shall return to my flock,

he will feel no pain, and will be comforted as you cannot imagine.

His parents will one day join him here,

and they will know peace, and My flock will continue to grow."

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?"

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?"

"Yes," said the surgeon.

"What did you find?" ask the boy

I found Jesus there," said the surgeon.

Author Unknown