"Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began,

                     "I'll open up your heart..."



                  "You'll find Jesus there" the 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" said the boy.



                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'll find out if I can make you well."



                "You'll find Jesus there too.  He lives

                                       there."



                               The surgeon left.



             The surgeon sat in his office, recording his

          notes from the surgery, "...damaged aorta, damaged

            pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration.

          No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy:

                painkillers and bed rest. Prognosis:, "

               here he paused, "death within one year."



                He stopped the recorder, but there was!

                more to be said. "Why?" he asked aloud.

                   "Why did You do this? You've put

              him here; You've put him in this pain; and

              You've cursed him to an early death. Why?"



                 The Lord answered and said, "The boy,

                    My lamb, was not meant for your

                flock for long, for he is a part of My

                      flock, and will forever be.

             Here, in 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 ha! s
                 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?" asked the boy.



                    "I found Jesus there," said the

                               surgeon.



               Author Unknown, but greatly appreciated...

Let us journey on... heartfelt...