THE CIRCLE
216. That’s the new number. I thought 158 was bad and that was just a few months ago. The nurse continued telling me all the other important information about the results of my heart scan but I could only hear the words “216”. So many questions went through my mind. Did the calcium score, or plaque, in my heart, go up in just a few months or was the other score not accurate? If 158 was bad what does this new score mean? Will my immediate heart attack happen sooner rather than later? What options do I have? I was back listening to the nurse “ you will need to make an appointment for a follow up with the doctor.” I did hear her mention “ not stenotic” which means I don’t qualify for a stent. It’s now just a “ wait and see” if I get any symptoms. With next weekend being the celebration of both Jake and my birthdays, I decided I would write about these results now before my doctors appointment. The Circle. As I looked at these Halloween cupcakes I saw the circles in all of them. But the circle I’m talking about is different. Last night at CCV our pastor talked about a circle and what we have in the middle of it. He played the tape in which his mother, who had passed away, shared about her experience of almost dying in a very bad car accident. Those things, or people, that really mattered came into focus. At first it was Jesus, her husband, and her two children. Slowly, each would fade away until it was only Jesus. At the end of our lives, the pastor asked, is Jesus enough? If we lost everything else, including those we loved ( and that includes our pets! ) would Jesus still be in the circle? At that very moment God spoke to me. He said “216” is in my circle . And then I cried, and cried , and cried. Jesus had been replaced with a number that was determining my future. Is there something or someone, taking the place of Jesus in your circle? Is Jesus enough? I know my thoughts go to Kev and Jake, and my other loved ones. I would hope Jesus would be enough in the end. But I do know this: None of us know our last day here on earth. But, as God shared with me, He makes the final decision, not a number. It was time to put Jesus back in the circle where He belongs. Next week I will turn 64. I will celebrate it with JOY because, over 50 years ago, Jesus did come into my life. He gave me peace, purpose, JOY, and a future in heaven with Him. I pray that you too will put Jesus back in the center of your circle so that all that really matters you will have, and will have it abundantly.