I always wince

 

I always wince when the needle goes in. Because a health condition requires regular blood tests, I should be used to it. But I’m not. I always wince.

But despite the wince, I am so grateful that I have the rare (in this world) luxury of affordable health care. Free at the point of need. Because of the NHS, I don’t need to languish beside the road, waiting for a generous Samaritan to stop and help me.

I am so grateful to live in a country which prioritises help for all over help for the few, for the entitled, for the wealthy. All over the world, in some of the most surprising places, the poor and the marginalised have no hope, no help.

May God bless the NHS today. May he bless administrators with insight and common sense; may he encourage all the nurses, doctors and other staff. Just as he fed the five thousand + from five loaves and two fish, may Jesus stretch the money available, to enable shorter waiting lists and less pressure on local GP surgeries.