There are angels among us, and "Angels in the ER" by Dr. Robert D. Lesslie, MD caught my eye because I still believe in angels. I knew the "ER" meant Emergency Room because I have been there more than once. I thought that this would be a book about people leaving their bodies after being clinically dead on the operating table, or hovering outside an ambulance while they are on the way to witness their own resurrection. Thank God (mine, maybe not yours), this book is about real people. Doctors, nurses, emergency personnel, and the rest of us who visit hospitals as patients and as visitors. Spiritual fiction? I'm not sure...
The author is a doctor who works at an emergency hospital in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He has seen the incredible things that people can endure and the experiences that they can survive first hand. He knows that certain people will step up and exhibit their true tendencies in an emergency situation. Others will stand down and show theirs as well. There are times when you will not know what will happen next. Those are the times that "angels" appear in the form of humans, and they are usually not accompanied by flashes of lightning and rolls of thunder - in fact, this practically never happens anymore.
Dr. Lesslie has years of experience and can easily verify the cases that he writes about. Can he verify EVERYTHING that happens? No. Some of these occurrences will be considered spiritual and purely fictional. As a doctor he can provide the case histories, the names of the people and the dates that they occurred, although they are rarely given in his book. Should you choose to be skeptical you will have to contact him personally for more detailed information, and even then he is probably restricted from giving this information out to the general public.
I chose to read this book because of the title and because it was written by a doctor. I still put my trust in doctors, and I have read too many books by so-called "religious experts" who have disappointed me with their writing. Dr. Lesslie provides a very readable book broken down into short stories about things that he and others have experienced in an emergency room. Some have happy endings, some are very sad and some are actually disgusting in the way that people act today. The stories with the true "angels" are inspiring and this is a book that I will keep on my shelf.
Dr. Robert Lesslie has spent over 25 years as a doctor in his general practice and as an ER doctor. In this book (he has written others as well) he patiently guides you through some of his more memorable experiences with patients, other ER personnel and their families. Each story can be read on it's own and each chapter begins with a verse of scripture that is related to the tale being told. Although the scripture verses are purely for reference, I found it inspiring to go back to the beginning of each chapter to see how that particular verse could be applied to the story he had just related. The doctor's knowledge, spirituality and personal values are revealed - this is not just a book about the trials and tribulations of an ER staff.
Although not every story ends up with every patient being miraculously saved, those that are saved are usually grateful. The patient who manages to leave WITH the fake X-rays he brought with him (?) and WITHOUT his expected shot of Demerol and a prescription for either Tylox, Percocet or Oxycontin will absolutely make you cringe. This chapter titled "You're On My last Nerve" will give you some idea of the lengths people will go to to feed their addictions. It is scary just to read about it.
There are not only angels in the ER, they are in the lives of each one of us. Some show up and make themselves known to us everyday in their quiet, subtle way. The mechanic who fixed your car, the person who held a door for you, the lady who poured your coffee, the man who cleared away your table, the people you live with. Countless others are right beside us, day in and day out with never a word of thanks or acknowledgement sent their way. Still others will leave us and we will never know or appreciate how much they have helped - ever.
Today just might be a good day to thank one or two of them, and don't wait for them to go first...
"Angels in the ER" is a book that is going to stay on my shelf. The title alone constantly reminds me that there ARE angels hERe, and evERywhERe...
Laughter and Love,
Rick Fess
"Angels in the ER" Dr. Robert D. Lesslie, MD
Harvest House Publishers http://www.harvesthousepublishers.com
And if you would like to know more about me and my upcoming book "Is There More?", please visit http://www.spiritualfictionbooks.com/ to access my weekly blog. I regularly review books on spirituality and self-improvement, particularly spiritual fiction books. You can also contact me through the website if you have any questions or comments. Thank you for your interest.
Laughter and love,
Rick Fess
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