The Bamford’s New Doctor

“Papa isn’t feeling well,” said Sissy Bamford to her brother. “I guess you’ll have to do the milking tonight.”

Bud sighed. Papa was always sick. “Didn’t the doctor give him a new medicine?” he asked, as he followed Sissy out to barn.

“Yes, but it is the worst stuff ever!” Sissy said, wrinkling her nose. “I had to have it last winter when I had the flu, and it made me gag. Maybe Papa will feel better if he rests.”

“Can’t you make us some pudding again, Sis?” Bud asked when he brought the milk in.

“Not tonight,” Sissy said, tying on an apron. “Mama’s headache is worse. I’ve given her some pills and she’s resting. I’ll have to make supper, though I don’t feel too well myself.”

“Isn’t Mama’s head better?” Papa asked, coming into the kitchen. He looked thin and pale. “Dr. Gains said he might have a new medicine for her to try. I should stop by his office tomorrow.” He sighed. “The Lord knows I’m trying to take care of my family, but I hate to think what the doctor’s bill looks like.”

Papa poked his head into the pantry, muttered to himself. “He’ll be asking about that stomach pep. Better get my evening dose. Nasty stuff.” Bud winked at Sissy.

When Papa appeared with a black bottle, he was shaking his head. “My, it seems that we have enough medicine bottles on the shelf for five families!” He tried to laugh, but clutched his stomach with a groan.

Sissy hurried to get him a cup of water. “You aren’t feeling any better tonight?” she asked.

“It’s the old army dysentery again,” he muttered. “I guess I won’t have any supper. He fell into his big chair and wiped his face with a handkerchief. “Bud, get me my reading glasses. I think I’ll read from those gospel papers Peter sent me. I’m not going to let a stomach ache keep me from being blessed in my heart!”

Sissy was setting the soup bowls on the table when Mama came downstairs. “How’s your head, darling?” Papa asked, looking up from his paper.

“Good enough to join the family for supper,” Mama said, pouring herself a cup of tea. “Sissy, I don’t know what I’d do without you!”

Sissy tried to smile, but her mouth wobbled and tears came to her eyes. Mama put her arms around her. “Poor dear, you’re all worn out! Didn’t you sleep well last night?” Sissy only shook her head.

“Maybe we should have Dr. Gains…” began Mama, but changed her mind. “Let’s sit down to eat, and pray this food to strengthen you, dear.”

“Well, I’m hungry!” Bud said, cheerily. “The soup sure looks good.” Sissy wiped her eyes and sat down, while Mama brought a plate of crackers. Bud thanked the Lord for the food and added, “please bless our family to be feeling better soon!” Mama and Sissy nodded in agreement.

“Listen to this!” Papa announced, a few minutes later. “There are some gospel meetings being held at the city hall in a couple weeks. I think we ought to go!”

Mama smiled a little. “You haven’t been feeling well enough to go anywhere, James. Are you sure you could manage the late nights?”

“Some good spiritual encouragement might be just what we are needing,” Papa said. “Like the Bible says, when the outward man perishes, the inner man is renewed day by day.”

“I guess that applies to us,” Mama agreed. “I’m afraid our spirits have been about as low as our health lately. It can’t be much worse going to a meeting.”

So it was decided, and in two weeks time the Bamford family was sitting in the city hall listening to a traveling gospel preacher.

“He talks different,” Bud whispered to Sissy.

“That’s because he’s from the east,” Sissy whispered back. “But listen! He’s telling about the friends who brought the sick man to see Jesus. You like that story. Remember how they tore up the roof?”

Bud was quiet and soon both of them were listening with interest. They had never heard anyone tell about Jesus quite like this before. It seemed like they were actually back in the land of Galilee.

“Suddenly, above that crowded room, came the sound of tiles being moved,” the preacher said, looking at the ceiling. “Listen! Is someone trying to break in?” Bud and Sissy looked up, too. As he continued the story, they could imagine the bed being let down and Jesus standing there.

“These people really want help. They believe Jesus is the answer. Do you think Jesus will disappoint them?” Sissy felt a prickle go down her back as the preacher looked straight at her.

“Do you believe Jesus has the answers for your needs tonight?” he asked. “Maybe you have suffered many years. You’ve tried to find peace and rest, but nothing works. Will you come to Jesus? He is able to heal your soul and your body, too.”

The meeting went late, but Papa didn’t seem a bit tired as they drove home. “That man preached the Bible, Susanne,” he told Mama. “I’ve never heard anything like it. He said that Jesus still heals today, and I believe it. Just that story about how his little boy was healed of scarlet fever was enough to convince anyone.”

“Wasn’t it wonderful?” Mama asked, her eyes shining.

“I liked the story of the man who was made well again,” Sissy said softly. “I believe Jesus forgave my sins, but can He really make my body strong, too?”

“And cure Papa’s stomach problems and Mama’s headaches?” asked Bud.

“That’s what I mean to find out,” said Papa. “I believe Jesus has the answer, and I’m going to have it, even if I have to tear open a roof to find it!”

The next morning the Bamford’s sat around the kitchen table. “I’m more sure than ever that the Lord wants to be our healer,” said Papa. “I didn’t know the Bible was so full of this truth. See if you can count how many people Jesus healed while I read this chapter, Bud.” He adjusted his glasses and began to read Mathew eight.

“I think I counted six,” Bud said, when he had finished.

“But one night lots of people were healed,” put in Sissy. “I think it was more than ten or even twenty!”

“Lepers, palsy… even devil possession,” said Mama. “Most doctors give up on such cases.”

Papa smiled. “But they were all healed, because they came to Jesus. Do you think Dr. Gains could have done all that?” The children shook their heads.

“If Jesus called us to leave everything and follow Him,” Mama said slowly, “what should we do with all the medicine in the pantry, James?”

Papa made a face. “Useless trash! I say they’re only fit for the dump heap. Jesus doesn’t need any stomach pep or pills to cure our ailments!”

Sissy and Bud looked at each other and grinned.

“Get an old basket from the shed, Bud,” said Mama. Soon the children were helping her fill it with all the medicine bottles. Tall bottles, short bottles, full ones and some nearly empty.

“I think that there must be a hundred!” Bud said. He smelled a bottle and nearly gagged. “This stuff stinks!”

Sissy giggled. It was fun to see all those bottles disappear. “No more icky, sticky, yucky pep!” she said, tossing Papa’s black bottle into the bin.

“These shelves look much better cleared out,” Mama said. “If I have another headache tonight, I’m not going to be asking for pills. I’m going to be telling Jesus about it!”

“It’s better than calling Dr. Gains,” said Sissy. “Sometimes he’s out, or he’s too busy to come.”

Papa looked at the basket of medicines and whistled. “I knew we were taking a lot of stuff, but I never knew how much money we were wasting! Once Bud helps me dump all these, we’ll take Bossy down to Dr. Gains and settle the bill.”

“What is he going to do with Bossy?” Bud asked.

“Milk her, I suppose.” Papa grunted as he lifted the basket. “Come along.”

“But what will we do without a cow?” Bud asked, as they poured out the medicines on the alley trash heap. “Mama always trades milk and eggs for groceries.”

“God will take care of us, son,” Papa said. “And with no more doctor’s bills to worry about, I think we’ll have some money for groceries.” He wiped his face with his handkerchief and smiled. “I know Jesus can make me a strong man again, and I am going to trust Him!”

Bud held Bossy by Dr. Gains’ gate while Papa knocked on the door. “Coming by for that relief pill for your wife?” the physician asked, when he saw Papa.

“No, doctor,” Papa said, firmly. “I’ve come to pay off our bill. We’ve found a better physician.”

Dr. Gains straightened up. “A better physician? Well, well. I’ve tried my best, but there is always something we can learn. Who is it, if I may ask?”

“Jesus, the Healer of Galilee,” Papa replied.

“Yes, yes,” said Dr. Gains, taking Bossy’s lead rope. “Jesus was the best physician that ever lived. I do hope you folks get help.”

The next week Papa asked several ministers from the gospel meeting to come over. They gathered in the Bamford living room while Papa explained. “For many years I have suffered from poor health. I have tried everything that the best doctors can prescribe, but I have been unable to work and often have terrible pain. Now I have taken Jesus as our family physician, and have been praying what I should do to be healed. I know my case isn’t too hard for Jesus!” The visitors smiled and nodded.

Papa put on his glasses and opened his Bible. “So I want you to anoint me with oil and pray for me, as it says here in James 5. ‘The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up.’* (James 5:15)”

“We will be happy to do that,” said an older man, taking out a tiny bottle. Bud and Sissy looked at each other, but the minister must have guessed their question.

“There is nothing in the oil to make you better,” he explained. “We are just obeying God’s Word, and asking for His healing power to make you whole.” He put his finger on the bottle and touched Papa’s head. “Let us lay our hands on you now and pray,” he said.

The others came near and rested their hands on Papa’s head and shoulders. The older man asked the Lord to heal Papa’s body and make him completely well again. “In the name of Jesus, by whose stripes we are healed,” he prayed. “We know that You are with us now, Lord, and believe you will do what we ask.”

Sissy and Bud opened their eyes. Papa was smiling. “I believe I am healed,” he said.

“Amen,” said the visitors, getting to their feet. “Jesus is the best healer there is! Trust Him now and trust Him when you don’t feel well, either. ‘According to your faith be it unto you,’* (Matthew 9:25) Jesus says.”

“Are you all better?” Bud asked, when they had driven away.

“I don’t feel any different than usual, but I’ve obeyed Jesus and I know He’ll take care of my body,” said Papa. “Let’s go do the barn chores while Mama and Sissy make supper.”

“Are you planning to eat tonight?” asked Mama.

“I’ll try,” Papa said with a smile.

It was several evenings later that Sissy said to Bud, “Isn’t Papa much better than he ever was? He’s eating all his meals and this morning he said he’s going to see if he can find work.”

“He must’ve got work,” agreed Bud. “He’s been gone all day. I’ll finish the chores and surprise him!”

A few minutes later Bud burst into the house with an armload of wood, with Papa close behind. “Praise the Lord, I’ve been hired!” Papa said. “Digging ditches takes a lot of strength, but I’ve worked all afternoon and don’t feel any pain. Susanne, I know the Lord has healed me!” He gave Mama a big hug.

“God is so good to us,” she agreed. “Ever since I’ve decided to trust Him for my head I don’t think I’ve had one bad headache. Even Sissy’s been sleeping much better!”

As they sat around the table that evening, everyone’s face was full of smiles. “Bring me the Bible, Bud,” said Papa. “Let’s read a Psalm of praise tonight. And I don’t need any glasses either, for God has healed my eyes, too!”

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