Every day I encounter many people who ask me to pray for them.  I am happy to meet them and pray with them because that is my calling.  This past week a family requested me to visit them, and I did so very willingly.  I also had some hesitation because of the particular health issues of their patient.  Frankly, I was afraid the patient’s health was declining and that was the reason my presence was requested.  I was pleased to see that the patient was off the ventilator, sitting up in bed and talking.  The spouse introduced me to the patient and told me about all the times I had been with the family praying over the past week.  The patient still being weak said “thank you” and smiled.  The spouse said she had requested that come so I could share in the victory of healing that was happening.  Smiles and hugs were exchanged.  It was probably one of my most enjoyable visits of the week.

This exchange has resonated in my mind and gotten me to thinking about the codes we have at the hospital.  We have:

• Code Blue (Cardiac Arrest)
• MET (Medical Evaluation Team for sudden declines in health and falls)
• Code Yellow (Disaster)
• And many other codes

In our own lives I think we should add a “Code T” to the list.  The “T” is for the word thankful.   All of us have many good things that happen routinely in our lives.  I know myself I am not as disciplined to give God thanksgiving as I am to ask for help when things overwhelm me.  I am pledging to my readers and myself to be more diligent about calling a mental “CODE T” and giving God thanksgiving when I recognize something as being good.  Will you join me?