It was shortly after Pesach 5786, and Mr. Levin* grew concerned regarding a condition he had recently discovered. Due to his medical history, he did not want to wait long to see a doctor. Unfamiliar with the specialty he needed, Mr. Levin contacted the Bikur Cholim, known for helping patients find top physicians.
After reviewing his case, they recommended two highly regarded specialists: Dr. Smith* was their first choice, while Dr. Jonesberger* was a close second.
Naturally, Mr. Levin hoped to be seen by Dr. Smith, their first choice. However, when he contacted both offices, he was met with the same discouraging response. Neither physician had availability anytime soon. Dr. Smith’s office explained that the best they could do was place him on a waiting list and notify him if a cancellation became available. Dr. Jonesbergers’ earliest appointment was nearly two months away.
Waiting that long simply was not an option for Mr. Levin. Unsure how to proceed, he contacted Bikur Cholim for guidance. “Schedule the appointment anyway,” they advised him, “and then let us see what we can do.”
Following their advice, he booked the earliest appointment available with Dr. Jonesberger, the second choice. Bikur Cholim began making calls.
A few hours later, Mr. Levin received encouraging news from the Bikur Cholim. An appointment had been arranged. They instructed him to arrive at Dr. Smith’s office on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Overjoyed, he thanked the receptionist.
On Thursday afternoon, at 12:58, he arrived at Dr. Smith’s office and checked in at the front desk. The receptionist searched the computer and frowned. “I’m sorry,” he said, “but we don’t have an appointment scheduled for you.”
Mr. Levin was surprised. “Did a representative from Bikur Cholim not contact your office?” he asked. “I was told an appointment had been arranged for me.”
The receptionist checked again, but the answer was the same. “Have a seat,” confirmed the receptionist, “and let me see if there’s anything we can do.”
Mr. Levin sat down in the waiting room and took out his Tehillim. Quietly, he turned his heart toward his Father in Shamayim and asked for His help once again.
A few moments later, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and froze. It was a confirmation message from Dr. Jonesberger’s office, the second specialist he had contacted, to confirm an appointment for that upcoming Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.
Suddenly, everything fell into place. He had he misheard the message from Bikur Cholim. The appointment they had arranged was with Dr. Jonesberger, the second doctor, on Tuesday at 1:00, and not Dr. Smith on Thursday. Out of his excitement, he jumped to the conclusion that the appointment was scheduled with Dr. Smith, not fully listening to the secretary who confirmed an appointment was with Dr. Jonesberger, the second doctor.
Mr. Levin approached the receptionist and explained the confusion. The receptionist smiled kindly. “Well, now that you’re here,” she said, “let’s see if there’s something we can do for you.”
A few minutes later, the receptionist called his name. “We were able to make some adjustments,” he said. “The doctor can see you now.”
To his astonishment, the specialist he assumed he would never be able to see examined him. After reviewing his symptoms and performing an examination, the doctor confidently reassured him that there was nothing to be concerned about. To be thorough, he ordered a sonogram.
As the appointment was concluding, the doctor shared something remarkable. “I want you to know,” he said, “that this is an extremely busy practice. We do not take walk-in patients. The only reason I was able to see you today is because I had a meeting scheduled this afternoon with another physician. Just before the meeting, that doctor called to cancel because of a family emergency. The unexpected opening at 1:00 is what allowed us to fit you in.”
Mr. Levin left the office overflowing with gratitude to Hashem. Two weeks later, the sonogram results confirmed the doctor’s assessment that there was nothing to be concerned about, baruch Hashem.
Looking back, Mr. Levin could only marvel at the sequence of events. He had gone to the wrong doctor, on the wrong day, with no appointment. Hashem arranged an appointment for him with the doctor of his choice at the earliest time possible — and ultimately received reassuring news.
What appeared to be a mistake was actually part of a carefully orchestrated plan from Hashem. When we place our trust in Hashem, even situations that seem to be going in the opposite direction can become the very path on which Hashem is leading us to our most desired destination.
