The patient, who is christ

In every patient that we encounter, we should always treasured them and make them realized that the loving Lord is with them and caring for them.

One Day we are on our patient audit for 3-11 shift in the next day in one of the hospital in the Philippines. I was called by our Clinical Instructor (CI) and I was assigned in a patient with full thickness burns. The patient was in the 50's . During our conversation and Nurse Patient Interaction getting the necessary health data and information of the accident there is something I feel inside me, It is very strange, something unusual, my heart beats fast, and then suddenly I saw the scourged Jesus in Him , the one that is likely shown in the passion of Christ. I saw in his eyes the suffering that he was encountering as what our Lord experienced during the time he was hanging on the tree of cross. I heard in his voice the agony and pain, like Jesus whispering in me "Come my Dear, come and comfort me" . I feel the totality of putting myself before the tree of the cross when our Loving lord was in HIS last moment of His life.

As the time gone by, I am enjoying the moment with my Lord, but I cannot bear the felling within , I want to cry ! I want to hug him! I want to say "Lord I love you please forgive me of my hardheadedness!" . But I must do the right thing, maybe if I did such thing he may encountered more injury because of the open tissue ; or maybe get insulted. I did not show to my patient the tears within my eyes. I didn't want to allow my patient to see the uncovered pain of my sliced heart.

I politely excused myself and run to the chapel of the Hospital, where my tears burst and my heart weeps. Once again I felt that I am placed on the time where the Loving lord was being whip by the sharp metals of the Roman soldiers. I felt the pain of being scourged, persecuted and left.

During the night I can't sleep . All my mind was occupied by the tender love of God to us. Giving His most precious son Jesus Christ. Meditating on the Paschal mystery of Jesus. The pain and the joy combined. Pain because of my sins, my shortcomings and my naughtiness. Joy for this treasured moments and experienced that HE (Jesus) unveiled to me.

I had served the patient with all my Best. Serving a King. I saw in him the Lord . My Master my Love my all! And that experienced was cherished inside me. The calling within the call as mother Theresa said was experienced by me.. Thank you Lord... Thank you Jesus!!!

Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.
Bro, sorry but you have it 100% wrong. Not everyone wants you to see Christ in them or as Christ. That can be very disrespectful. If you cannot see this, you are looking at religion thru your eyes only and not thru anyone elses. Christ may be "it" for you. But you need to realize that Christ may not be "it" for others you are treating as if it is. This is poor judgement. Please think about this. As they say in America, "there are many ways to skin a cat". Meaning that your way may be good for you and great, but it may not be the way for the other. It is simple thinking.

He does not have it 100% wrong......as he is speaking of how his faith tells him to live. He is serving his Lord by serving others with love...the same love that Christ showed by serving others and the love He showed by His ultimate sacrifice. He says he has cared for people of many races, religions and beliefs without discrimination, respectfully caring for their physical and spiritual needs.

The OP is not saying that others have to share his beliefs. He is not the one who seems to be telling others that they are wrong. He is not trying to force anyone to believe anything. He is merely trying to put his faith in action, being an obedient servant of God, while meeting the needs of others in a non-judgmental and loving manner.

Specializes in Skilled Nursing/Rehab.

needshaldol - the OP still has not said that he ever TELLS the patient that he sees Christ in them. You cannot tell the OP that his THOUGHTS are wrong when they are simply motivating him to provide the best care that he can for the patient. Well, I guess you can tell him that, but it would not be true. It is interesting that the name of Christ inspires such fierce reactions from people who do not believe in him! I guess that is part of the power of the name!

Brother David - when I become an RN, I hope I will serve my patients with the same passion that you have expressed here!

I think this post has outlived itself.

Specializes in Community/ Spiritual Health Nsg.
Bro, sorry but you have it 100% wrong. Not everyone wants you to see Christ in them or as Christ. That can be very disrespectful.

Yes you are right. But in me and other Catholic Nurses we wants to be Christ to other and be seen in us their "Higher Being "/ Allah / Jehovah / to bring them hope and care. Please note that I don't talk about my "God" to them and never wants to convert them. I talk how their relationship with their God "Spiritual Nursing" (Very important to be given emphasis for Holistic Care). Every action that I am taking is between me and my God. Please consider that Every time I am on Spiritual Nursing I talk about their "Higher Being" and not of my "GOD".

The matter is we as nurses we must do good act as what would our "Higher Being " (God; Allah; Jehovah) wants us to do... I am jusr sharing this experience to enables us be awaken that our patient is precious and it could be the God/ Allah / Jehovah whom we believe who is in disguise of this sick person.

I think this post has outlived itself.

Perhaps, for you, visiting this thread is not worth the irritation it appears to be causing.

Specializes in LTC.

Iiiinteresting. Very interesting. Funny, people of the non-Christian faiths tend to say Christian faiths are intolerant, and while the OP was a bit too emotionally charged for me to really taste it, seems a bit intolerant for those that don't share his beliefs.

Tolerance goes both ways. Just saying.

RN writer, no longer irritated. Just think this thread is done. Not intolerant; rather the opposite.

Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

Since others are still posting on the thread, it looks alive and well to me.

Iiiinteresting. Very interesting. Funny, people of the non-Christian faiths tend to say Christian faiths are intolerant, and while the OP was a bit too emotionally charged for me to really taste it, seems a bit intolerant for those that don't share his beliefs.

Tolerance goes both ways. Just saying.

Can you elaborate? This is a sincere request. I don't understand how you see the OP as intolerant when he stated so many times that he did not speak of his God to his patients and did not try to convert them.

I think he demonstrated more tolerance than he was shown.

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
Can you elaborate? This is a sincere request. I don't understand how you see the OP as intolerant when he stated so many times that he did not speak of his God to his patients and did not try to convert them.

I think he demonstrated more tolerance than he was shown.

I agree.

Brother David, I hope you will continue to share with us, even though some of the responses you've received have been less than cordial. Many nurses here are people of faith who do try to see Christ in every patient, and not just because it makes it easier to serve them; we try because we know that "whatever you do to these least of My brothers, you do also to Me".

As for those posters who are "irritated" by this topic, may I suggest that you do not continue reading further? No one asked you to agree with Bro. David; but like any other member here, he deserves respect and he deserves to be heard. 'Nuff said.

Specializes in Medical.

Hmm, I read Sparrowhawk's post as first noting that Bro. David was a little hyperbolic for her, but that subsequent, (presumably) non-Christian posters have been the least tolerant, while generally denouncing the intolerance of Christians.

Personally what he expressed is no different than a person who is reminded of a passed loved one by someone who may exhibit some of their traits no different than anyone who has de ja vu.

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