A Beating Heart

"When you take away your breath, they die and go back to the dust from which they came."

– Psalm 104:29 (TEV)

The first time I noticed my heart beating irregularly, the episode lasted only a couple minutes. Two months later, the episodes were occurring more frequently and lasting longer. I consulted a cardiologist who performed an angiogram to determine whether there was any blockage of the coronary arteries.

What a fascinating experience it was! I marveled at the medical technology that allowed me to see my heart beating live on the TV monitor, to see the catheter snake its way into the different chambers of my heart, to see my arteries stand out like curlicues when dye was injected.

I thanked God for the blessing of a happy result. Everything looked normal. The irregular heartbeat was only an electrical problem that could be treated with medication.

Although my condition is not life threatening, I appreciate more fully than ever before that each heartbeat is a precious gift of life from God. Even more importantly, I appreciate these special reminders of my mortality, these reminders that I "know not the day nor the hour" (Matt. 25:13) when our Lord will finally take me home.

Thought for the Day: A loving God monitors my every breath and every heartbeat.

– Jim Stoffels
May 1995

© Copyright 2001 by Jim Stoffels