A Trip to the Emergency Room

       This past weekend my wife Beckie and I had our grandsons, Ty & Chase for three days while their parents treated themselves to a 10th anniversary present by vacationing in Peurto Rico. On my 10th Anniversary I think we went to Taco Bell for dinner! Congrats to my daughter Mandy and her husband Mike on this milestone!
       Anyway, it was now Sunday afternoon with less then an hour before we were to take the boys home when Chase decided to do a header off of the playground equipment at Sinnissippi Park, leaving a gash in the back of his head. Off we went to the emergency room at CGH. Now I have made numerous trips to many different Emergency rooms in my years as a Pastor, but it is different when you are on the other side of that fence! Yet our experience was one that I give God the glory for. From the moment we arrived, even though we were NOT the parents, NOR did we have any of the insurance stuff with us, we still got rushed right in. Thanks to texting we got all we needed from the kids. Anyway the visit only got better from there. All of the staff, the Nurses, CNA's, the Doctor and other's all treated us and Chase in a loving and timely manner. When it came time to leave Chase got a serenade of "Hope you get better soon Chase" from all of the staff. That's what happens when you are 4 and really cute!
      Earlier today while I was back in Sterling and reliving Sunday hospital visit, I  had felt a deep appreciation rush over me for that hospital staff. Before I knew it I had left "How Sweet It Is" bakery with a few dozen cookies as a "Thank You" for the Emergency room staff. They were very grateful for the goodies and the appreciation I showed. 
     I don't tell you this story to prop myself up, because there have been many other times in my life that I have failed to show the appreciation to people that God was calling me to give them! In Ephesians the Word of God calls us to "Build One Another Up", but rarely does this happen. Yet this is to be one of the key spiritual differences between the Children of God and those who do not know Christ! We are not simply called to say "Thank You", but we are called to build people up! To let them know of our appreciation for them and for what they have done for us. So, who is it that the Holy Spirit is calling you to show appreciation to?  I encourage you in the week ahead to find that someone who needs built up, and then to do just that!
        Go forth now and Be Christ's Church!
                 Your Brother in Christ, Pastor Rick Koch - Dutchtown Church