Ridgell's Originals

Marsha and I went to the ICU to see Bill Merkel last night. Bill, Hymonda, their girls (and their families) have been like family to us (and our families) for over 35 years now. Bill had a heart valve replacement and is doing great. I am an elder in large part because of their influence. We got to see Bill and hold his hands and pray with him. Pretty neat that his nurse joined us in that. But while getting ready to go in and see Bill, we heard that Harry Whitt was in ICU. He was at Southern Hills years ago and has been active in prison ministry in and around Abilene for years. I have visited lots of offenders and ex-offenders with Harry over the years. So we left Bill and asked for Harry's room. He was not awake but prayed over him and left a note. While we were in the waiting room someone mentioned their was a group there from Minter Lane. Just because it is what we do, we started over to see if we knew them. Ann Hummel was the member in ICU. She was in one of my youth groups years ago and lives in our neighborhood. One of her older brothers, Dempsey Peterson -- also in our youth group and now a member at Minter -- was there and we got to catch up. Their oldest brother and his wife, Terry and Barbara Peterson graduated with me from High School and they were there. We have visited off and on when I would speak at Southgate in San Angelo where they are members. So we caught up with them. And after seeing Harry, we asked where Ann's room was. Nurses are curious by now and it was good to explain that we had lots of family in ICU and we were going to pray with and/or over every one of them. So we went to Ann's room and prayed with her. Never imagined all of that would happen from one visit to the ICU. You never know how -- or when -- God is going to use you. Or with whom. Church family. I love it. And I love being a shepherd ... even when my flock ends up being much bigger than just Southern Hills. Thanks God and You are amazing.