So Loved

This is genuine happiness after surgery; irrational fear aside, I have never felt so loved.

For God so loved the world

That He gave His only Son...

These few words came to life

When I woke up, confused and stunned.

You see, fear had taken hold of me

Before I went under the knife.

Due to experiences in my past

I was seriously afraid for my life.

But I did trust the prayers of others

And I did trust knowledge I already had.

I even behaved myself enough;

I never made hospital staff mad.

But you see, it is those words;

'So loved' - what do they mean?

Well after this surgical matter

It's definition I have perhaps gleaned.

What can just those two words

Ever have to do with my hip?

Why do just those two words

Matter if they come from one's lips?

Let's take a short step back.

Let's turn to the third chapter of John.

It goes on to say whoever believes

Shall live forever with God's Only Son.

The faith was not my issue;

Of this I can tell you, for sure.

But the love, oh so much love

This mystery that can be so pure-

From free dinners to special visits

To surprises from friends in the past.

From well wishes and cards and time off

To memories that forever will last.

I have never felt so much love

Not even when my wife and I married.

It is this love (and prayers to God above)

Through the successful operation I was carried.

From angels in the form of nurses;

To doctors and their dexterous skills,

There has not been a single person

Whose love for fellow man I couldn't feel.

And so God so loved the world

And this much I know is true;

I woke up to a glimpse of Heaven

Of course, my wife saying, "I love you."

But it gave this cynical man

Hope for the future, from all that I saw

I now have hope that many others

Will come to know God's love for us all.

Vulnerability has a way of changing

One's very own outlook on life.

From realizing that we cannot do it all

And that we're all bound to suffer some strife.

Waking up from the operation

I'd been given more than just a chance;

I would get to see my son again

And I'd get to continue life's dance.

I pray that I can make it up to Him

For ever having any doubts.

It was God's love all along, so it seems

That proved what this life is about.

Perhaps when someone else's chips are down

You can follow the example set above.

Then you can help other image bearers

Know and understand the words - 'so loved.'