Twenty-Five

Scripture:  Matthew 6:34 [the living bible] -  "So don't be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time."  

What can one do in twenty-five minutes? I can, and recently have, eaten a meal, watched an episode of 'the Rifleman', waited in line at the ATM, and enjoyed a devotional journey from the GBFC team's input. I can cut my front lawn, and I can wash, brush my teeth, floss and dress in twenty-five minutes.

In a small book entitled 'Dr. Ephraim McDowell, An Instrument in God's Hands' there is a picture on page 14 entitled 'Painting of the 1809 Crawford surgery' showing the preparation of Jane Crawford, tabled in the living room of her  surgeon Dr. McDowell, awaiting major abdominal surgery. The painting reveals also the chief surgeon, his brother Dr. James McDowell, Dr[s] Cotter, and Goldsmith, Charles McKinney, and Mrs. Baker, an attendant.equivalent to being a nurse. This controversial moment represented the 'world's first successful ovariotomy-December 25, 1809'. Prominent in the painting was the attentive Mrs. Baker, a black woman.
 Remarkably this surgery for the time was a risky undertaking, taking place without prerequisite labs or imaging, absent common electricity, and absent anesthesia. There was a huge pelvic tumor thought to be naturally life-ending for Mrs. Crawford, for whom comfort measures were thought to be all there was to have, according to the physician peers of that time.
What was present as an advantage was the surgical gifting, skill and evangelical zeal of the surgeon, and the patient who sang psalms during her care. What was an advantage was the permitting of God.

As crude and limited as the surgery was, it ended in twenty-five minutes, and the patient not only survived, but across the next few decades, thrived. A large tumor approaching 25# weight was removed without complication. [ovariotomy=removal of the ovary and its tumor, surgically]


What took place in 25 minutes was prefaced by this prayer:

"Almighty God, be with me, I humbly beseech Thee, in this attendance in Thy holy hour; give me becoming awe of Thy presence and grant  me Thy direction and aid.  I beseech Thee, that in confessing I may be humble and truly penitent in prayer, serious and devout in praises, grateful and sincere, and in hearing Thy word attentive, and willing and desirous to be instructed.  Direct me, O' God, in performing this operation, for I am but an instrument in Thy hands, and am but Thy servant, and if it is Thy will, O'! Spare this poor afflicted woman. O'! Give me true faith in the atonement of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, or a love sufficient to procure Thy favor and blessing, that worshipping Thee in spirit and truth my services may be accepted through His all sufficient merit. Amen."  Dr. Ephraim McDowell,  Christmas day, 1809

This beautiful prayer could be our own, substituting the surgical content for the focus we each have for our day to day  thrust, be we barber or baker, dentist or dancer, teacher or tax collector, jailor or janitor, preacher or president... this prayer could [ought]be considered as our own for that precious daily pursuit and call upon us.
Impel us as such dear Jesus.

May we all redeem the time that we have, and recognize how the modest can be raised to advantage when God is invited to come.

Prayer:  Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come and Thy will be done - in my heart, in my home, and in my 'hood', as it is in heaven... please bless as only You can Lord, and forgive me for the 'oughts' not done, and the 'ought nots' deferred. Upon this hope may that precious daily bread abide and nourish. Let my receiving be complete.  Amen.

(by Dr. McNeal Brockington)