Father...no greater joy

Now on my surgery rotation, I am currently in pediatric surgery. We had been consulted to see a young 10 week old infant in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This little baby boy had been there since he was born. We were consulted to put a feeding tube into his stomach so that he could get the necessary nutrition he needed as he was not gaining any weight nor was he able to eat enough. This little boy had multiple problems in various organs including the heart, lungs, intestines, as well as growth restriction.
This little boy for some reason really touched me. He has a family that cares and loves him, at least from the photos in his crib, but they were not able to visit every day. He sits there each day doing his best to survive and live. Seeing him made me truly grateful for the opportunity I have to be a father. There is nothing more powerful than the love of a parent for their children. Moses 1:39 states "For behold, this is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." God's greatest work and his glory comes from helping His children succeed in returning to live with Him again. I've heard it said before that that of all the names God chose to be called, He chose Heavenly Father. It is was is most important for Him. I feel the same way. There is nothing as rewarding and as enjoyable as being a dad. The time and sacrifice seem so small compared to the joy I receive from my family.
As I looked down at the little boy today, I did my best to help him feel loved for the short time that I was able to visit with Him. Hoping and praying that during the short time I was able to spend with him, he would feel of my love for Him, and more importantly Heavenly Father's love for him. I knew that even though physically this little boy was alone, He was still loved dearly by our Heavenly Father. I knew he was being watched by and cared for by Heavenly Father, after all if the Lord each sparrow's fall, he surely knows and watches over his children (Matthew 10:29-31). I stood next to him with my hand on him and said a prayer asking Heavenly Father to be with this little boy and comfort him. Just as Heavenly Father loves and will comfort this little boy, He will do the same for each one of us. We are all His Spirit children and He loves us and wants us to find happiness in our life. How grateful I am to understand that my Heavenly Father loves me, and how comforting it is to me know that even though I had to leave that little baby boy, Heavenly Father wouldn't leave him alone.

Eternal Perspective

A few weeks ago, we were told that we had a consult dealing with an individual that was found down and unconscious by a family member. By the time they arrived at the hospital, there seemed to be no normal activity left in this person. Upon EEG testing, the individual was brain dead with the exception of one or two brainstem reflexes still intact. This individual's brain would never function for them again. The rest of their existence would be on a drug to keep them from seizing every few seconds. If they were to be taken off of this drug, their body would quickly die from inability to regulate the vital functions of breathing, temperature, and heart rate. The options left to the family then were to just let him go or keep on life support forever.
The family has decided to keep him on life support. The individual was then be placed in a home where skilled professionals were be able to constantly watch over him. Just a few days ago, this patient came back to the hospital for a bacterial infection. The person has had no change in abilities and is still on support to keep him from constantly seizing. This is a difficult situation for the individual as well as the family! Does the family keep him on support or should they let him go? Will they see him again or this truly the end?

The knowledge of the gospel changes the perspective for this individual and his family. Having an understanding that we will live again, changes the way you see this individual. We know from 1 Corinthians 15:22 that "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall be made alive." We know that we will be able to see our family members again! We can see them as they really are, without bodily limitations. What a great blessing this truly is. Alma in the Book of Mormon tells us, "Now, behold, I have spoken unto you concerning the death of the mortal body, and also concerning the resurrection of the mortal body. I say unto you that this mortal body is raised to an immortal body, that is from death, even from the first death unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits uniting with their bodies, never to be divided; thus theh whole becoming spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption" (Alma 11:45). This is the hope that can keep many people doing what is righteous. If we live righteously in this life, we can see and be with our loved ones again, they and we will be able to be re-united in our perfect form I'm so grateful for this knowledge and blessing! Knowing this may help the family feel closure and when he moves on, find peace.