Answered prayer or Divine purpose?

[PamRNC]

Have you ever felt that your desperate midshift prayer for the strength to finish the shift, patience to care for the patients or other request to the "higher power of your choice" actually was granted? Or have you ever felt that said "higher power" had put you/kept you in a certain place or time to fulfill a specific purpose?

I had one of those bad days - couldn't run fast enough to keep up with my team, stayed late to chart. While charting loud screams and banging came from end of hall - new pt gs victim, Hx psych and drug abse was wigging out. Staff couldn't go near him, and I did. I managed to calm him down, with help from his mom, soft words and a firm hand. No restraints/drugs, got him back to bed and afterwards the other staff acted like - I dunno - I performed a miracle or something.

Anyway just curious - post a story if you have one.

[donmurray]

Sounds to me like you did a good job, so why give credit to anyone but yourself for it! Guess which I voted?

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I've had more "moments" like this than I could possibly count.......the most recent being last night, with a patient I've been working with all weekend who's been in the most exquisite physical and emotional agony imaginable. She's had lymphoma which has now metastasized, and recently had a bad round of chemo that left her with horrid mouth sores and an equally painful peri-anal area from chemo-induced diarrhea. She can't eat, she can barely talk, and swallowing requires a herculean effort........she spent most of the weekend crying and moaning despite our efforts to control the pain. I gave her backrubs and slathered lidocaine jelly all over the sensitive areas, which helped for a short time but not enough.

Finally last night, I managed to get her somewhat comfortable, and while I was fussing with her linens she asked me, "Where are your wings?" I wasn't thinking about anything but what I was doing for her, and the question took me somewhat aback..........where are WHAT wings? She gently persisted, "I don't see any wings.......where did you put them?" I realized where she was going with this when she added, "Your angel wings.......you must have hidden them where I can't see!"

Mind you, this was the most speech I'd heard out of this poor lady in three days. She continued, "You have been my angel.......you've been so good to me. Thank you for taking care of me."

It was one of those golden moments in which I knew that I was in the right place, at the right time, and for the right person. I felt that God had put me there for her and guided me in caring for her, and that lessened her suffering. I'm more of a spiritual person than conventionally religious, but I do believe that He helps me a great deal and works through me, and I know that He and I together can accomplish a lot more than I can alone. :) I'm glad He helped me take care of this patient!

[Rapheal]

I sometimes think this is true but sometimes I think that in whatever place we are in, God will provide opportunities for us and others to do his will.

Here's an example. I had prayed for an easier day at work. I work at chaos city due to short staffing and constantly feel that I do not adaquately know my patients. After a grueling morning one of my patients develops pauses on the monitor and becomes symptomatic. I ask God "Why me? I asked you for an easier day." And I just get this feeling of resignation, of acceptance. "OK, cuz you want me to take care of her." And I did.

Sometimes me and God disagree. He expects this from me. lol

[cjburchey]

I believe God answers pray in and out of the workplace...when I graduated many moons ago, I got my heart's desire...working the Pediatric unit at our local hospital. I found out that with children, you pray alot - for strength to get through the shift, to handle the heartaches, to be supportive to parents, to handle grandma, and for the mental ability to out-smart these little critters! I had the tables turned on me in the matter of prayer...we had a seven year old that had been admitted with dehydration due to good old vomiting and diarrhea...although she was doing better, IV's were needed since she wasn't able to eat or drink at the present time...soooo the fun began! When I went to work that day, I was faced with having to restart her IV...everyone else had tried...the little girl was cooperative, held real still, watching every move I made and much to everyone else's delight, listening to every word I said. I wasn't able to find a real pleasing site, so under my breath, I whispered, "Please dear Jesus, let me start this IV", only to immediately hear, "Please dear Jesus, don't let her stick me!" Guess who's prayer was answered? Burchey

[BSN07]

PamRNC God does miraculous things for us everyday and is ever present in all situations. I can attest to his ever loving presence as I go about my day. But I choose to acknowledge his presence and praise him. He is awesome. I believe he does put us in places at the right time, and it sure sounds like he did that for you.

[BSN07]

cjburchey I love the last part of your post. Aren't kids the coolest? :chuckle

[sbic56, BSN, RN]

Sometimes things work in our favor, sometimes not. I can't depend on devine intervention at work or I'd be awfully dissapointed for all the times there appeared to be none. I would hate to think He plays favorites. Actually, it really kind of bothers me when people believe it is a miracle that was responsible for a positive outcome when it was due to the efforts of a mortal with the right expertise. We do the best we can in given situations; usually all is good, sometimes, as odds will have it, the outcome is not as we wish it to be.