God Blesses Those Who Seek Him and Help Others

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God Blesses Those Who Seek Him and Help Others

The word nursing is defined as: the profession or practice of providing care for the sick and infirm. Blessing is thus defined as God's favor and protection. Therefore God's favor is on those who provide care for the sick and infirmed.

In the Bible, Hebrews 13:16 states: And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. And in Romans 15:1 it states: But we, who are strong, ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not just please ourselves.

As nurses, everyday caring for our patients is an act of sacrifice and giving valued care for their wellbeing. It challenges us in every way possible — intellectually, spiritually, physically, and emotionally.

My journey as a nurse began well before I knew the exact meaning of what a nurse was. As a child I watched my beloved Aunt battle a serious disease that would leave her bed bound, frail and unable to care for herself. I had the feeling of helplessness, not exactly understanding what was really going on, but knew that the end would result in death. I remember praying to God for her relief, in whatever form He deemed necessary. Wither it was a total healing or a peaceful death. As I remembered from my Sunday school classes that God answer's prayer and He alone knows what's best for us.

I watched the people come in and out providing care and saw the joy they brought to my Aunt with something as simple as a touch and a smile. It made me realize that I wanted to be able to bring that kind of joy and satisfaction to people who were ill. I wanted to be able to give people the experience of being well cared for through this very difficult time in their lives.

This journey has taken various twists and turns, down and up the slopes of the healthcare industry. As I peruse thru the peaks and valleys, I'm reminded about a patient that I was allowed to have the most profound experience of my life.

This brave child traveled thru the course of his illness, along with his mother watching that journey come to an end, a defining moment occurred. As I sat there with his mother as he transitioned from this life, we saw his spirit being lifted up by two angels, dressed in white robes. What a marveling smile he had on his face as he waved goodbye to his mother. We watched him slowly being carried away into the heavens; the majestic glow that filled the room was magnificent: There was a peace that could be felt throughout and a sense of warmth that words cannot express.

This little boy that was born with a cardiac abnormality, had weathered the storms of multiple surgeries, hospitalizations and ongoing medications, had finally obtained relief. What a feeling of joy and peace had overcome the mother as I watched her say goodbye to her darling little boy during this most difficulty of occasions. She then turned to me, gave me a hug and said a soft, meaningful, Thank You”

As a nurse, your career is shaped, molded, and firmly sculptured by many single, often small, extraordinary moments. This moment helped me grow and learn, will forever remain deep within my heart.

The Starfish Story is an example of just that.

The Starfish Story”

Adapted from The Star Thrower, by Loren Eiseley

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out, Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”

The young man paused, looked up, and replied, Throwing starfish into the ocean.”

I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?” asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die.”

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!”

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, I made a difference to that one!”

To reach just one person on this journey we call nursing, means I'm bestowing God's Favor, Blessing and Protection upon those being cared for. Really knowing that, God blesses those who seek Him and helps others.

By Malvina Harris RN, BSN