I got up, showered, and got ready for my day as usual
knowing it was going to be another long day of nothing. I was sitting on the
couch staring out the large windows in the living room, trying to figure out
again what I was to do to keep myself busy. It was depressing. I had been out
of work for six months, living with some friends trying to figure things out. I
had to convince myself daily that I would be fine, and something would come up,
but it never did. Every day got a little longer and a little harder to get
through.
Its 10 am and I am still just sitting on the couch staring
out the windows in the living room. No one was home that day. I knew I needed
help but where and who. I decided to call the hospital on the hill and make an
appointment with the doctor. Amazingly they had an opening that morning, so I
went. The receptionist was super friendly and had me in the doctor’s office
almost right away like he was waiting on me. Dr. Ross sat me down in his office
and asked what was going on. I shared a little about why I thought I was
depressed. He sat right in front of me and I could tell he was listening intently.
His countenance was telling me that he really cared about my story. I teared up
telling some parts of the story but felt it was alright with Dr. Ross. Finally,
I let him respond and man did he. Dr. Ross seemed to know exactly what I was going through and offered the exact
words I needed to hear. He offered ways to combat depression, and his final
solution totally blew me away and again brought me to tears. Who is this doctor
and how does he know me to diagnose so well?
Dr. Ross offered me counseling and therapy with his team of
doctors. I was to meet with them every week once a day in the mornings. But he
said that I was welcome to come to the hospital any time of the day and that
someone would be here to work with me in my illness. There was no monetary
charge to me. He said the fees were already paid by a man long ago for me to
come here and get help. What kind of hospital does all this? It was crazy. I
went back home a totally different man, smiling, joyful, and in amazement. I
could not wait for my wife to get home and tell her what happened.
I started therapy the next week. I showed up early and was
seated in the lobby. Dr. Ross came by and grabbed me and said let’s go, the team
is ready for you. We walked in together and there were about 6 other doctors
seated around the tables. As Dr. Ross introduced me to the team, it was like
they already knew me, and I had been there for months. I felt incredibly
welcomed and comfortable in the room. The morning went awesome for me and again
I left new and different and at peace. What was this place and why do I feel so
much peace when I am there?
I was assigned to one specific doctor for mentoring and was
included in work he was doing. I felt valued and needed again. Dr. Stone was a
great man and seemed to be excited I was helping him. Again, it was like he
knew me for a long time already. We worked, had lunch together and even golfed
one day as part of my therapy. While working with Dr. Stone he introduced me to
Dr. French who I was to work with also. We met and he had a few projects at the
hospital that he asked my help with. This is getting to be a dream for me.
Unbelievable treatment with people that care beyond measure. Who does that now
days?
The next couple of months were amazing. I was still without
work and had some down days but not nearly like before Dr. Ross and I met. I
could not wait to get up each day and at least stop by the hospital and see
what was going on. I even met and worked with other patients at times. The
hospital had programs for the sick mostly on Sundays and Wednesdays. My wife
and I got involved with started attending regularly. We quickly were invited to
a therapy class for couples that was so awesome. The director of the program
grabbed us one day and invited us to the therapy class, so we tried it. We
loved it. We learned from these other couples so much. They had joy, love, and
had fun, and cared for us so much. Again, it was like they knew us for a long
time.
To my surprise and shock, Dr. Ross had asked me to come on
staff at the hospital to work with other patients dealing with depression or
problems. It was a part time position, but I would work and serve with his
therapists every day. I was brought to tears, again, when Dr. Ross asked me to
join his team. We had to be approved by the other doctors but were voted in
unanimously one Sunday evening. We were in!
The next six month were so exciting and
amazing that we could not wait to get to the hospital for the programs they
offered. All the other doctors there became lifelong friends to this day. Dr.
Hickingbottom, the CEO, encouraged me so much by just always being there for me
and speaking to me when I came to the hospital. So much happened in six months
while there. Our couples therapy class met every week and we usually went to
lunch together after. We went to plays, served other patients in their need,
and dinner at times. I was invited to play guitar with a group that did a
therapy night singing gospel song of encouragement and love. That was one of the
best times while at the hospital. What a night to minister to the other
patients. We all left pumped and excited.
What started out to be another long day of nothing, staring
out the large windows in the living room, ended with my appointment with Dr. Ross. When my wife came home that evening, I blurted out my excitement as she
walked in the door. She could tell I was a changed man. After I told her about
Dr. Ross and the hospital, she told me this. That morning as she left for work,
she saw me sitting there. She could tell I was depressed, and she prayed to God
to do something for me that day to help me. She prayed for a miracle.
She prayed for someone to help me. She prayed for Dr. Ross and never knew it.
She prayed for a hospital on a hill and didn’t know it. I’m fine now and
working full time again. After searching for 12 months, I am a doctor at a
large hospital. With the love and care of Dr. Ross and his staff of therapists,
I made it! The depression left and I am now helping other patients. Praise God
for that hospital on the hill.
Lesson learned...never doubt that God is working all around you and that He will always lead you to his will if you listen and follow and believe.
Comments?
Today I celebrate, to the day, two years of service at First
Burleson. Every day has been full of joy, peace, fun, thanksgiving, mercy,
love, care, and that feeling of I can’t wait to get to work. It would be another
book to write of things that have happened over the past two years that would
prove the existence of God almighty working in my life. We are exactly where
God wants us at this moment in time and hopefully for many years to come. 
