What is Important?

^{Think of something that is very important to you.}

^{On Decemeber 26 around 8:00 I was to the point of panicking. I couldn’t get a breath and found myself panting trying to get enough little breaths. Nothing seemed to work so I deceided as much as I didn’t want to I needed to go to the ER. So I sent a text to my wife letting her know when she got home from work I needed her to tak e me to the ER. She decided it would be better if Ron took me there and she would meet me there.}

^{One of the first things they did as they took me right in was give me oxygen. Although it wasn’t the answer it sure made things better. I still couldn’t get a full breath but the little breaths I could get help settle the anxiousness of not being able to breath,}

^{After hours of laying there and more test then I can remember the doctor said that my Kidneys had failed and my liver was failing and that I had congestive heart failure. WOW that makes you really think. After another couple of hours they put me in an ambulance and transproted me to Florida Hospital Altimonte where my cardioligist is. The first night after my wife left and I lay there I had a long talk with God. I didn’t bring my Bible with me but the Gideons had been there so I used the Bible that was in my room. It is so neat to see how God works there was a book mark in the Bible it was at}

^{Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.}

^{- Phil 4:4-8}

^{I would love to say that I wasn’t anxious at all, I was! But in all God really gave me a peace as I lay there knowing that He was in control. I didn’t understand why this was happening but I knew He was there holding my hand along the way. One of the hardest things about being in the hospital was I had to miss Ron and Lauren’s wedding. God was gracious there also. Through friends I was able to hear the wedding in my room. I would have much rather been there but that was the next best thing. After the Wedding and reception I got a huge surprise , My wife in her pretty dress, Charlie in his suit, Ron in his tux and Lauren in her wedding gown came to the hospital to see me complete with the bird seed. What a thrill to see them.}

^{I aske at the beginning to think of something that is important to you right now. After my adventure this past Christmas / New Years I know what is really important and that is my family and friends. I challenge each of you to NEVER take your family or friends for granted. Take time to spend with them and to let them know they are special to you.}

^{Dear Lord we pray that we will all ways be thankful for our friends and family. Help us to never take them for granted. We pray that you will show us ways to let them know we are thankful for them and that we appreciate them. In Jesus name, Amen.}