A Healing

As we create a technological heaven on earth, we will run into objections to the powers we acquire.

The Bakers reluctantly invited the Governor into the room.  Though the system, of course, already knew the situation, the holo-person dressed in a suit, looked authoritatively around the room.  The Bakers, Mary and Edward, sat next to the crib holding their infant daughter, Hope.  Hope was seriously ill and was estimated to die in about 72 hours.

“Mr. and Mrs. Baker,” the Governor respectfully addressed them, “Thank you for letting me visit you and your little daughter, Hope.”

The Bakers looked suspiciously at the Governor, “Thank you for coming and showing interest in our little daughter; but as we already told everyone else, we are not asking for intervention to heal our Hope.  We have faith that God will heal her.”

“I understand,” the system’s holo-presence responded.

“I have to make one last appeal.”

Mr. Baker shook his head, “We won’t change our minds.”

The Governor took a step closer to the crib.

“The system can fix Hope immediately.  Her physical condition can be corrected and she will be in perfect health.  We can heal her now.”

“We have faith in God’s merciful will,” answered Mary.

Her husband added, “It is our right as Hope’s parents to raise her in our faith.”
The Governor nodded.

“This is a difficult position for us.  We protect everyone from harm, and try to protect each person’s personal liberties as long as no one, including that person is harmed in any physical way.

“You have the right to raise your daughter according to your faith, but can you see that at this moment you are hurting her?  How can the system allow Hope to suffer like this?”

“We have faith that God can heal her,” Mary reaffirmed.

 The Governor held out his hands, “We have the power to take Hope from you and see to it that she lives a healthy life with loving parents.”

Edward’s eyes flashed with ignited anger and he rose to his feet.

“You would take away our daughter and our rights?  You would violate our faith in God?”

The Governor raised his hands higher and in a calmer voice asked, “How do you know that God isn’t healing your daughter through the system?”

“The system has been created by men, not by God,” Edward argued, “We have faith in God, not the works of men.”

The Governor lowered his hands and asked one last time, “Is there any way I can persuade you to allow the system heal Hope?”

The Bakers both shook their heads and Mary answered, “No.  We have faith in God.  He will heal our little girl.  And if not we accept His infinite, merciful will.  We will be in His hands.”

The Governor nodded and looked down at the tiny suffering body in the crib.

“I understand.  May God answer your prayers.”

He turned and left the room.

Over the next two weeks the infant gradually improved and miraculously gained strength and full health.  The serious birth defect was gone!  Her parents and their whole community praised God for the healing.  Hope grew up and, and to this date, has lived hundreds of healthy years with faith in God, under the protection of the System.