As many of my friends and family know, I’ve been spending a lot of time in the hospital lately. My grandmother was diagnosed in July with cancer. Very soon thereafter the cancer was removed and the road to recovery began. A few weeks later, as things seemed to be going well, she had a stroke. Four days after that her brain began to swell requiring emergency surgery to remove a piece of her skull to prevent further damage due to the swelling. Between moving into a new home, my wife and me starting new jobs, my grandmothers stroke and the two separate surgeries, my children transitioning into new school settings, my wife’s two unexpected dental procedures, a flat tire (and it was a brand new tire, but I digress), traveling over 600 miles weekly for almost three months…..is your head spinning yet – because mine has been? Let’s just say, I haven’t had any problems sleeping at night. This has been one of the busiest and most difficult seasons I’ve ever endured. Yet, in the midst of all this chaos, I must admit it has been one of the best seasons I’ve ever experienced. Sounds like I’m speaking out of both sides of my mouth, doesn’t it? It’s all because of the hospitals I’ve been visiting. Not the sterile facilities filled with doctors and nurses. I’m referring to my churches (the one I left because of my job change and the church I am now a part of).
Common sense tells us someone’s entire reason for visiting a hospital is to receive specialized care/help they can’t provide themselves. Isn’t that what a church is? A hospital for the hurting? I’m not just referring to broken arms, band aid’s, and heart attacks…I’m talking about mangled hearts and homes, broken and abused people who feel forgotten. As Christians we serve as nurses. The nurses job isn’t to go rogue and begin diagnosing issues. A nurse’s job is to implement the care plan set forth by the doctor and aid the patient in the process on the road to recovery. The nurse is an extension of the doctor—but make no mistake, they are not the doctor. As nurses, [our] job isn’t to attempt to fix someone else’s problems rather pointing them in the direction of the Great Physician. “Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live to righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed.” [1 Peter 2:24] I’m not sure this nurse (me) could have made it without the prayers and encouragement of my fellow nurses. To you – and you know who you are – I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. But to my Physician – Thank You for being with me even in some of the most difficult times of my life. You always send the right people at the right time to remind me just how powerful You are. Your healing power astounds and leaves me speechless. I am humbled by Your greatness!
Closing remarks and encouragement: It’s not over until God says it’s over. My grandmother should be dead and in a grave by now…but apparently God isn’t done with her yet. No one knows what the future holds…..but I know who holds my/our future. Even in the midst of the craziness I have watched as He has visibly worked all things for [our] good……and it has made me love Him even more. If you’re sick, take a visit to the hospital. If you’re not sick, continue nursing. Regardless, don’t grow weary, my friends. Your ‘due season’ [Gal 6:9] might just be around the corner!