Have you had those instances that if you weren’t there the outcome would be really different?
In our lives we often don’t see the impact we make on our family, friends, or colleagues. We don’t really understand our worth because we are often too busy to think about it. No one is going to run around yelling “I’m the best!” but it’s important to take a minute sometimes to realize the impact you make every day.
You chose to become a nurse for a reason.
Whether your mom was a nurse or you simply wanted to help people, you wanted to make an impact. Nursing is a profession that conveys the most unselfish, holistic view of human beings. Nursing embodies the very nature of Jesus Christ because it is caring for people without judgment but simply because they need help.
I’m sure there are moments and patients that you will never forget.
Some patients just burn in your memory, no matter how wonderful or difficult their story. Memorable moments with patients can also be something so ridiculous or unheard of that you just can’t forget … and probably laugh out loud when you think about it.
Whether you think so or not, you make a difference. You made it through the crazy pressure of nursing school, which is no easy feat. For those of you still in school … may the odds be ever in your favor!
You are never “just” a nurse (or a student nurse).
You spent how many hours away from your family, and the rest of the world, just to make it through school. Then you work so hard to take care of people in a way that cannot ever be reciprocated. No matter what type of nurse you are … you matter and you make a difference.
Here are a few stories that if the nurse wasn’t there … well … let’s just say THANK GOD THE NURSE WAS THERE! All of these are based on true events
A patient called for an appointment at his local doctor’s office. Symptoms were random and simple .. pain, fatigue etc. There wasn’t anything standing out to make anyone say “yep that’s a bowel obstruction” or “blood clot!” The nurse told the patient to go to the emergency room. The patient didn’t want to go to the emergency room so insisted on coming to the office.
Something just wasn’t right.
The nurse knew the symptoms didn’t sound serious, but something just wasn’t right. It wasn’t fitting together. “I think you should go to the emergency room; I feel it’s the best thing for you right now and it’s better to be safe than sorry” The patient finally listened.
The patient was rushed to the operating room for emergency surgery once the ER team was involved. “Good thing you came to the emergency room because you most likely would’ve died overnight without that surgery” The doctor told the patient. The nurse listened to the gut feeling inside and had to advocate for the patient … to the patient!!
A patient was unresponsive and blue, literally. “Call the code!” The team rushed to the scene and was able to get an airway for the patient and manually ventilate. Even though there was an open airway getting sufficient breaths, the patient’s oxygen level was still low.
The nurse noticed something odd about the patient’s chest.
It was lopsided every time the patient was ventilated. The nurse spoke up about it and the doctor listened. When a chest tube was placed in the patient the oxygen saturation immediately improved. “Way to go!” the doctor said. Once the tube was draining the patient turned to a warm pink color because the patient was actually getting oxygen to his body through his bloodstream.
Good catch by the nurse … and the doctor for listening.
An epidural was placed in a patient while in labor. “I can’t breathe!” the patient yelled but no one was able to understand. The patient spoke another language and at that moment it was a matter of life and death.
The team was petrified along with the patient because they couldn’t act on anything without having a translator, and it was time to act fast!
The communication breakdown led to even more intensity than not breathing. A page came across the system that led a specific nurse to attend to the room. That nurse was able to understand the patient and the gravity of the situation. She was the bridge of understanding and implementation. She provided comfort and understanding to the patient as well as conveyed vital assessments to the team.
If they had waited for a translator that patient’s health would’ve deteriorated much more, along with the child in her womb. Mom and baby were just fine afterward. A translator service was provided to manage her needs afterward, but if it wasn’t for that nurse in that moment it could’ve gotten much worse.
Get report on a patient that is a “walky talky.”
The assessment of the patient was much different than the report provided by the previous nurse, which doesn’t usually happen (insert sarcasm). The patient is young and just had a baby. She’s generally healthy but was agitated, confused, and wasn’t breathing great even though her saturation was in the 90’s.
The nurse had a feeling that wasn’t her normal behavior, which was confirmed when she asked the patient’s family. Blood tests looked terrible and stat CT scan showed pulmonary edema. Relief came in the form of a Foley and IV Lasix.
After 3500ml of urine output, the patient started feeling better. During labor, she had received about 6 liters of fluid that no one thought was an issue. When the patient and family had repeated concerns, no one listened. Except one nurse …
Why is Christmas different through a child’s eyes?
Christmas is a time to focus on what’s most important in life. We celebrate because Jesus came to earth, fully God and fully Man. Often, all the details surrounding this event are made so very complicated, but through a child’s eyes it’s very simple.
Children get so very excited during Christmas time. They thrive in the wonder, magic, and fun during the season. Children can teach us a very important lesson by the way they view life.
Children hold the purity of life and understanding in their little hands. They are honest, raw, and straightforward. All of us are born into our sin, but children do not have the learned characteristics that come from a life of making sinful mistakes.
The stressful times of a child do not hinder their good nature. They can believe without seeing. They can trust what their parents tell them. They sometimes do not heed parental instruction and need correction. Emotions to them are like a roller coaster until it’s their time to get off, then they just play more.
Kids can remember even the most obscure moments, and it can stay with them forever.
Simple
Kind
Messy
Loud
Excited
Gifted
Quiet
Shy
Nervous
Silly
Honest
Thoughtful
Children have such an ease for faith. Just to name a few ways of a child. Children feel, believe, accept, and remember. As they grow, they lose that sense of purity, experiencing influence from the world.
This time last year I was watching a movie about the birth of Jesus with my five-year-old son (who’s now 6). He knows about Jesus. I talk to my son about God and Jesus in a really simple way. He sees me pray alone and as a family with him and my husband. He is always free to ask questions about anything, especially learning about Jesus.
As a parent I always wonder if I’m doing a good job with my son.
I want him to be happy, healthy, and safe. I hope he understands the endless possibilities in his life and to never give up trying for something he really believes in. I want him to be kind and chase his dreams. I’m sure you have a similar goal for your children.
As a Christian parent, I wonder how I can help him to understand God, Jesus, and the Bible. I wonder about what he’s retaining in his mind and where it will take him in his future… During the movie about Jesus we were having short discussions during commercials. We were talking about King Herod.
” Is he the bad guy mama?”
“Well, he’s the king. He’s trying to tell everyone what to do. But there’s only one true King buddy, do you know who that is?”
“Jesus!” he exclaimed. He also sat quietly (most of the time) to watch the movie about Jesus, eager to see what was happening.
His attention span is about 10 seconds unless it’s Spider-man or superheroes, but there he was watching the story of the birth of Jesus. That moment is when I realized the simple connection of what Jesus was talking about with little children.
You were that child once.
We are all children of the Lord. We have experienced the simplicity and purity of being a child. We have all veered off the path of righteousness to follow our own way. Everyone once had the wholesomeness of a child. Some things we learn in life drift us away from the childlike innocence.
Do you believe it’s still inside you?
The Christmas season is filled with love, truth, and new life. It’s the establishment of Jesus’s purpose and the glory of God. Do you celebrate blessings and think of Christmas as a time for joy? Many people do, and feel even more grateful around this time of year. Others don’t have the same reaction. Some people are lonely, hungry, or mourning. They aren’t filled with joy because it’s just another time of year to highlight what they’re missing. In this world, comparison and expectations will eat you up inside. It’s so important to remember that you don’t have to be alone on your journey; you have every chance to let Jesus walk with you in it. Just ask Him.
Jesus doesn’t send you away when you go to Him.
Think of someone you looked up to as a child. Whether it was your parents, your big brother, or even a superhero, try to remember how it made you feel to be around them (or watch them). You wanted to be just like them, copying every move or tagging along when you weren’t invited. Their words had so much weight in your mind. As a result, you would do whatever they told you, completely trusting they would look out for you. You simply believed in them. It didn’t take much convincing and you didn’t have to analyze every part of it. You just believed.
That same heart is still inside of you.
Though, belief is often obstructed by pain. If you’ve been rejected, especially by someone you’ve looked up to, it started the building of a wall of protection. Throughout your life that wall has been crafted by every lie, heartbreak, and sorrow you’ve ever experienced. You don’t want to ever feel that way again, so you guard your heart.
Jesus is the only One who can break through that wall and renew your spirit again. He loved you before you were even born. He knows the troubles you’ve been through. He wants to know you just as you are, with all your broken pieces, so He can help you find that innocence deep within. He will not reject you.
Just as you trusted as a child you can trust in Him. Try to find the part of you that isn’t afraid to take a chance. You will never be let down taking a chance on Him. He gives love, conviction, and correction just like a parent to their child. You may not get what you want, but He will give you what you need.
When you celebrate Christmas, I hope you have peace.
Peace of knowing that Jesus accepts you with the same warmth and love given to a child. I hope you can find the child inside yourself and enjoy the love that surrounds you in this season. If you are struggling, I pray that you find the hope you once had. You are not alone in your struggle, no matter how isolated you may feel. Reach out, I’ll listen.
Do you have days that you feel like your cup is empty and you have no more to pour out? You are always giving pieces of yourself and rarely getting refilled. You care so much about everyone else but you are on the back burner, simmering away.
If you are simmering, who is watching the burner?
Days can seem to replicate themselves in your life, with constant running all over. Dishes upon dishes, errands galore, and little to no “you” time. You are most likely the one that is managing everything with help seeming so far away. Up early and to bed late with loads of busy in between.
You love the many people and priorities in your life, but it seems you are giving so much of yourself away you can’t get refilled fast enough. When you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, His love abides in you. He is your source of the love you share with other people. You are given it as a gift from Him, and His Spirit is within you.
Go straight to the source
In the times you need refilled remember that God’s love is inside you, and it’s the fountain of life. Its flow is endless and will provide you whatever amount you need. You have to get some alone time with Him so He can search your heart. You are a very special individual and He needs to have a relationship with you. Most likely there are many times when you need reassurance and guidance. The best way to get it is to go right to the source.
Quiet time with Him is more effective than any other task you perform in your everyday life.
I don’t mean to sound dismissive of the many priorities in your life that are extremely important. The point is, that you are the central force within those priorities, and if you are not filled with the fruits of His Spirit you will get burned out.
You and Him tackle life together, and you need each other. He needs you to spend time with Him so you can fulfill His purpose for your life. You need Him to teach you every day about how special you are and refill the love in your heart. The moment you get alone with Him you know it’s the right place to be. It’s like your spirit has craved that time and is finally satisfied.
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
He loves you so much He sacrificed His only Son so you could have blessings beyond what you can imagine.
When you start to get really stressed and overwhelmed, remember that you both have the same goal for your life. It doesn’t take a grand plan, just some alone time with Him to get re-centered. Wake up early one day before the kids go to school or go for a drive alone to the store. You’d be amazed at what 5 silent minutes will do, with your heart simply yearning for His.
Once your cup is filled with that love you are such a blessing to others… and God.
You work so hard to care for the people in your life and your engine runs on the love you have for them…. and maybe lots of coffee. His love is perfected in you, evidenced by the love you give out. Your source doesn’t grow weary or lose its impact, it only grows stronger and more powerful the more you give. There’s no guilt or shame, only encouragement and support. When you feel like you have to keep juggling or else everything will fall, that’s usually when He’ll want you to put down the balls!
How can you give love when you don’t feel worthy of it?
There isn’t anything you can do to change the love Jesus has for you. You may struggle with the pain that has occurred in your life, whether toward you or from you toward others. The more you read about Jesus and how absolutely pure He is, the more worthless you may feel because you are so far from His glory.
Maybe you don’t think He could ever love someone like you because no one else really has. Certain things you’ve done make it impossible for anyone to love you, especially Jesus. He sees what’s been done that no one else knows about. But that’s the best part! His love is not conditional. It exists whether you accept it or not. He loves you and has shown you the highest form of that love by giving His life for yours.
Even if you don’t think you’re worthy, once you believe in Jesus and confess He is the Son of God He abides in you. Abide means stand or accept. He accepts you, stands with you, and loves you. It has nothing to do with you deserving it.
It’s a really difficult thing to grasp because we work our entire lives to be accepted. As a result of working hard we hope we aren’t rejected by people. It’s like we continuously study so we can make the A. If we don’t study we don’t get the A. In Jesus, He already got the A for us. If we want to know what it took to get there we simply accept Him and let Him guide us through the journey.
If Jesus already loves us no matter what, then what do we have to do?
If you don’t already believe He is the Son of God who gave His life for yours and was resurrected, then that’s a good starting point. You have to get to the bottom of why you don’t believe it. What has happened that has made you skeptical? I encourage you, that if you seek the truth you will find it. We are surrounded by a world that doesn’t know Him. Every day within that world seeing difficult, terrible things makes it so hard to have faith in a loving God if you aren’t filled with His Holy Spirit.
Seek the truth, you are worth it, and so is He.
If you’ve accepted Jesus, then your daily walk has so much purpose. We continually need His guidance to make choices every day.
Love, peace, joy, kindness, gentleness, longsuffering, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.
Every time you exhibit those things you shine light into the world. You can make a difference in someone’s life simply by being kind. It also teaches you something about yourself. It’s sometimes a path of most resistance to show those fruits when everything in the world supports the latter. That is why He needs to walk with you.
He is the vine and you are the branch.
He gives you the fill you need to be able to share everything well. We will all give an account of our life and the choices we’ve made once we pass away. There is no expectation of perfection, but humble accountability can go a very long way in transforming the life you lead.
He provides you with a Helper for your daily walk. Read more about the Spirit of Truth here.
I have to be honest, I really needed this verse today. It is so easy to get caught up in the world and the busy-ness of life. The grind, the everyday actions that don’t feel like a struggle until you take 5 minutes for yourself to sit down and do nothing. The real battle is in my own head, do you have the same issue? I need to…….I didn’t……..If that doesn’t get done…….. these are the beginning statements of the many thoughts I have throughout the day, and it causes me to feel like a hamster on a wheel.
In this verse today a few words really hit my core. One of them is Helper. What does a Helper do? HELP!! For someone who is always trying to do everything, fix everything, be there for everyone, and not drop all the balls that are juggling in the air the best gift ever is a HELPER! This Helper that Jesus is talking about is one that is focused on the innermost parts of you and your spirit. “He” is the Holy Spirit. The parts of you that are hidden, broken, tired, challenged, distracted…. those are the parts that this Helper wants to assist. Taking time to really let Him in, praying that He find the source of trouble in your heart and mind, can get you focused. It lets you give the burden to Him, and ultimately to God through Jesus Christ.
What if you’re not really burdened, you’re just busy?
It’s ok to be busy right? If you’re a doer, most likely you have a hand in many projects and passionately invest yourself in your life. That includes signing up for whatever is needed to help your kids, your husband, your friends, and your family. It’s great to do that, you just can’t forget about God and yourself. Here’s why…. your time with God helps guide the purposeful life you’re trying to live with all those projects and passions. When you pray or just talk to Him, you are talking to your Creator, your Father, the One who loves you so much He sacrificed His Son for you to have life beyond what you know exists. When you read about Him in the Word you are taking action to learn about His character. When you listen for Him the silence is more impactful than any noise happening in your life at the moment.
But you know Him…the Spirit of Truth, the Helper
The Helper isn’t a figment of your imagination. You know Him. He works in your heart and you know it because you feel it. He dwells in you. He is that “gut-feeling” when something isn’t right. He is that instant thought of “give” when you see a homeless person on the street. The guiding voice telling you to choose what’s good and right when everyone else is saying what’s wrong, that’s the Spirit of Truth. He will show you how to discern from what is real and what isn’t. He helps you to distinguish the difference between feelings and fact. He dwells in you and is with you. Jesus sent Him and wants you to trust Him and rely on Him.
Here’s what happens when you do all those things…..
When you pray, He is listening to your prayer and the Holy Spirit is searching your heart. Sometimes you don’t know what to pray, but you simply trying is more than enough because the Helper is there. “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom 8:26, NKJV). When you read, He is still searching your heart for the part that needs mended. He wants to help you receive His word the way you need to hear it. You are being submissive by reading His word, even though you may not think so. You are choosing to learn about Him, spend time with Him, and taking initiative to focus on Him and not yourself.
Focus on the prize
The Lord has a purpose for you…do you know it? Do you feel it? He breathed life into your spirit with a purpose that is only meant for you. The more time you spend with Him the more you learn what that purpose is. He is working on many things amidst the purpose He sees in you, so you won’t have all the answers you seek. He gives us instructions on how to walk with Him all throughout his Word. Jesus says“but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Mat 6:33). Look in the Word not the world. Jesus will guide you and His Helper will reveal things to you so you know the truth. His peace will cover you and He will never leave you stranded. You can always count on Him…. ALWAYS.
The more you focus on His way, the more you see your purpose.
Stopping yourself from going and going to try and spend time with the Lord is uncomfortable at first. Especially if you are taking care of people in a way that defines what you believe is your purpose. It’s easy to get distracted by our routines, but the purpose for everything we do is found in Jesus Christ. He gave us freedom by exchanging His life for ours. In everything we do we can take joy in it for Him.
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Col 3: 23-24). You are the light of the world. Jesus shines that light inside of you. Light overpowers darkness. Any darkness in your life cannot compete with the light inside your spirit.
You let your light shine when you are kind, gentle, and encouraging to others. The spirit inside of you filled with the light and truth of the Word of God affects people, especially those who are skeptical. As a result, they wonder about it. When you have a great attitude while you are going through trials, His peace is shining through you. His light gives you joy and peace, no matter what noise is happening around you. Getting that time with Him helps to keep growing that peace in you. What started as being uncomfortable ends up being the most important time in your day.
If you are searching for truth and purpose you will find it. I encourage you to look first in the Word of God at what Jesus says. If you want to learn more about the Holy Spirit as your Helper a good start is in John chapter 14. If you want to learn more about the light inside of you from Jesus go to Matthew chapter 5. There are many more verses and wonderful references all throughout the Bible, but I’m focusing on these as a start.
I pray you find the truth and you learn more about the great purpose you have in Christ. You are so very important and special. You can do amazing things!!
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Anxiety….an emotion that causes a fear of everything possible which inhibits possibilities.
Being anxious is something most everyone can relate to, even if it’s about simple things like what the weather will be on your drive to work. But these “simple” thoughts or worries can cause a severe snowball effect of fear that can eventually debilitate some people. It goes from simple worry to panic in a flash, which causes a mental breakdown. Maybe you are fortunate to not be gripped by the anxiety strong-arm, but many are not. It is rooted in fear, which causes an inner turmoil of questioning everything, especially yourself.
I’ve been anxious about many things in my life, questioning everything, including God.
There will always be something to worry about, but you don’t have to. Your focus changes when you’re in different seasons of your life. Experience helps you to weather the storm, or sometimes just be afraid of another. Your focus on what is worrying you right now will not last forever. It will not consume you because you have the power to not let it. Your power lies in Jesus Christ. The way that power works is when you surrender and give it to Him it’s no longer a weight holding you down. That may not be the kind of power you’re looking for, but it’s the only kind that can truly heal you right now.
Be anxious for nothing
Worry doesn’t focus your mind on the Lord. As a result, it takes you farther from submission and closer to trying to control things you can’t. However, when the Lord is the focus, trusting in Him takes over. Faith in His strength, when you are weak is the only real control you have. The Lord is in control, no matter if we submit or not.
When we go with Jesus, He gives us rest. Burdens are not often discussed, and there are many people who carry burdens in which no one knows about. Burdens can be any range of things on your mind or heart that weigh you down. Many burdens seem to be out of our control completely, but still exist. We would get rid of them….but we can’t. But then…the Lord is in control. Jesus can change it, we just have to get out of the way. This is where we must trust in Him, and not lean on our own understanding. We have no idea of how to create our own peace, if we did we wouldn’t have had any burdens in the first place.
When is the last time you struggled with a choice or decision that had you strangled?
Trust me, you are not alone in the struggle. Whether it’s a minor decision or one that can affect your entire life, it makes up your path. You can’t see the future because if you could you would easily choose. Here is where your control seems to be, but this is actually the point of surrender. Give it to God, trust, and be patient. Sounds simple enough but this is the hardest part.
Give it to God, trust, and be patient
My husband and I disagreed on an issue before we were married, one that led me to move out and us to really work on things. We were hanging by a thin thread. I had no idea what way to go. No clue on how to choose my next step. I gave it to God. Truly opened up my mind and heart and trusted Him….days later my husband proposed to me. We were working on things but I trusted him. I believed in him and there was no doubt that saying yes was the best possible answer I could give.
In the midst of me letting go to God so He could work in my life, He was already working in my husband’s. The result…..a trusting, solid, Christ-centered marriage that fulfills not just my life but my husband’s as well. We are extremely blessed and grateful! We have issues at times like any normal marriage and struggles occur in our life; but when we focus on Jesus the burden is light.
Take the focus off control and replace it with submission.
As humans we don’t want to submit. We want to live right now, doing whatever we want however we want. Instant gratification is rampant and we are living in an age that supports everything about it. The world will agree with you when you choose those things outside of what God wants for you. You are not of the world, therefore you will have conflict within it (John 15:19) Your desire for control and quick fixes will always be accepted in the world because that’s the very foundation of what it thrives on. Choosing the path of most resistance will most likely be the right one. Submission is an act of wisdom, not weakness. It starts with prayer.
How do you pray when you don’t even know where to start?
Prayer is our relationship with God and it’s a very special time with Him. There is no specific way to pray, your way is different than everyone else’s. God made you that way. You may pray loud because you’re loud, talk softly in your room, or talk to Him in your car. Praying is your time with God, just you and Him. Sometimes it’s great to simply be quiet. We pray to God to build a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. The most important part of prayer is taking the time to do it.
Asking for help is what God wants us to do.
Supplication is when you ask God for help or what you need from Him. This is the chance to tell Him what is burdening you or simply what you are requesting from Him. This part is where you say “I can’t do it, please help me, in Jesus’ name I pray” Simple enough right? Some of the hardest words for us to utter are “I need help”. It makes us feel vulnerable and weak, when in reality it’s when we are showing our strongest faith.
Being grateful for what we have instead of what we want
Thanksgiving is about being grateful. Grateful for the life you’ve been given and most importantly grateful for our freedom in Jesus. Everything else you can name falls between. Your family, the air you breathe, the job you just landed, and even some of the unanswered prayers you’ve experienced are all things you can be thankful for. The point of talking to God with Thanksgiving is getting humble and real. There is always something to be grateful for. “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)
Submission leads to peace in Jesus.
The peace of God is like nothing you will ever experience. Peace from the Lord is overwhelmingly calm. You won’t be able to understand until you truly submit to Him. Trust me, I know it’s difficult, I struggle with it daily. Submission is a very hard thing to grasp because we just have to do certain things in our lives. We work, we cook, we take of our families, we do, do, do. Submission sometimes involves a level of patience that only God can fulfill working through you. It’s all worth it. You learn about yourself and Him in the process.
His peace will guard your heart and mind
Think of how you feel when you get into a warm blanket on a cold day. That feeling of comfort consumes your entire body and mind. All you want to do is relax and most likely sleep. You feel safe. God’s peace is like a warm blanket over your heart and mind. It protects you from the cold, treacherous thoughts that can enter. It gives you comfort and reassurance. His peace guards you in a way that only you need. It is your cover in the midst of any storm.
I pray this post has helped you in whatever way you need. I’m grateful for your taking the time to read through it. I pray you have a great day and a wonderful Thanksgiving!
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