A thorough work-up revealed a medically frail 90-year-old with no sign of myocardial ischemia, intracranial pro­cess, infectious process, thyroid disorder, electrolyte disorder, or medication problem. There was quite a bit of arthritis. He was a “social admit.”

So why do I think I met God? Really, it’s more that I think He met me.

First, I’m not crazy. The psych hospital said so. Second, I view these little divine interactions not as the second coming but as God’s quiet window into our society. He does not announce Himself; that would defeat His purpose.

I don’t believe God would present Himself as a robust, healthy person wearing a Rolex and a silk suit. That too would defeat His purpose. Everyone treats the VIP and the rich guy well. The measure of our character and our compassion is how we treat the most frail and vulnerable members of our society.

This we are really good at. Emergency physicians are often the white knights in these scenarios. We recognize that if we allow this man to fall through the social safety net, bad things will happen. Plus, coming to his aid is the right thing to do.

These little divine moments of truth come our way every day. This is a blessing, and I feel privileged to be in the position to act in noble ways. These acts bring us closer to our patients and ultimately to Him.

I think God knows we are the good guys, but I also believe He will check in every once in a while to see how we are doing.

Be happy.

Dr. Baehren lives in Ottawa Hills, Ohio. He practices emergency medicine and is an assistant professor at the University of Toledo (Ohio) Medical Center. Your feedback is welcome at David.Baehren@utoledo.edu.