By Greg Miller © 2019

Dr. Maggie was so well-liked in her country community that local residents soon began referring to her as “Dr. Magnificent.”

Dr. Maggie’s diagnoses were thoughtful and accurate. “Your reports are always short, complete and to the point,” observed Monroe, an accountant. “You’re a great doctor.”

Mildred came to view Dr. Maggie as a close personal friend. “This community hasn’t been the same since you moved here several years ago,” Mildred shared.

“Everyone in town admires and adores you,” said Martha, who as a retired factory worker, appreciated the physician’s more-than-fair billing practices. “I’m glad you’re my friend, but I also like the fact that you don’t overcharge your patients.”

“Martha, I couldn’t live with myself if I overcharged my patients. As a Christian, I don’t believe the Lord Jesus Christ would be happy with me. And one day, I’ll be old myself, so I don’t want my doctors to take advantage of me.”

Dr. Maggie enjoyed working in her garden. “Tomatoes, potatoes, squash, spinach, lettuce, and peas…my favorite vegetables!” she beamed as she examined a row of potatoes.

Because of her faithfulness to God’s call and her generosity to the community, the Lord blessed the work of Dr. Maggie’s gardening hands. “This year, I’m doubling your output,” the Lord told Dr. Maggie. As the Lord knew she would do, Dr. Maggie doubled the portion of her garden that she gave to the community’s neediest citizens. “Part of my ministry is to keep my patients’ medical costs down,” she said. “Giving away free vegetables is a very good way of accomplishing that goal.”

Montana, one of Dr. Maggie’s oldest patients, loved vegetables, and he also owned a very substantial fondness for sweets. “Dr. Maggie,” he said, I have an idea. I think it’s great that you’re giving away all these vegetables, and I appreciate it very much. But it would be even greater if you started giving away a free box of donuts with every box of vegetables.”

“Thanks for the idea, Montana,” said Dr. Maggie. “I think I’ll use your idea, but I’m going to make one small change to it first.”

“What kind of change do you have in mind?”

“Instead of a whole box of donuts, I believe I’ll just give away a small box of donut holes. Your idea is a good one, but my change will make it an even greater one. One little donut hole won’t be that bad for anyone, but if one person ate a whole box of regular donuts, it could mean a disaster. I might even have to raise the cost of care to my patients. That would be a huge disaster for them!"

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By Greg Miller  2018

 Greg is retired from the Elizabethton STAR Newspaper, after working there for almost 23 years. He now freelances for the paper. Contact email address is [email protected], also facebook.com/kidcool4jesus. Available for speaking engagements/other ministries. Jesus is Lord