Praising the Lord at All Times

I will bless the Lord at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalm 34:1

It has been raining since yesterday, but I went to the blood lab early today for my regular check.

I must, not only for my health’s sake but also be oriented on Oamaru’s health infrastructure, having moved here in July. Then, a month later, we spent three weeks overseas. So, that’s barely two months of living in Oamaru.

So, it might sound amusing, but until I went to see the practice nurse at the health centre yesterday, I didn’t know where the town’s lab was.

I quickly found my way to the lab and soon entered the collection room with the phlebotomist on duty.

I never watch the actual needle insertion in the venipuncture procedure. Do you? I always looked away until the staff had removed the needle and dressed the puncture wound.

After “puncturing” the usual spot on my arm, I asked, “Did you get it?

There was a pause… “Wait, I might have lost it,” she said calmly.

My eyes closed partially when the needle pinched my skin. Not wanting to go through another needle prick, I closed my eyes tightly and prayed that the Lord would guide her.

However, upon seeing me with eyes tightly closed, she asked, “Are you in pain?”

I smiled and said, “No, I’m not, but I’m feeling the pinch.”

I wasn’t counting, but the seconds ticked like an eternity.

“I’ve got it! Praise the Lord! You must have been praying.”

“You’re right, I was. Praise the Lord for answered prayers.” 🙂

The blood sample was collected efficiently, and we offered praise to the Lord.