The Special Place of Nursing
A young girl was brought by ambulance to the Emergency Room after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. She was crying and frightened but not significantly injured.
She was not crying because of physical pain, but because of fear. She had fear of what might be wrong, fear of what her parents might think, and fear of simply being in the Emergency Room. There she was strapped on a backboard, c-collar on her neck, IVs in her arms, and surrounded by strangers. These strangers asked her questions, probed, and pressed her. Her body was exposed in areas that she would show no one, especially not strangers.
"But you, O LORD, area shield about me, my glory, andthe lifter of my head" (Psalm 3:3, ESV).
Who is the physical shield for this young girl--physically, emotionally, and spiritually? Who is the lifter of her head?
"I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill" (Psalm 3:4).
From the holy hill? Where is this? She wants God to be next to her right now, not in some faraway place that she has never seen.
How will she know that God answers her cry of fear? How does a father comfort his children when physically far away from them? How do any of us experience comfort from another so we can be comforted?
What is nursing in this situation?
"I woke again, forthe LORD sustained me.
I will not be afraidof many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around" (Psalm 3:5-6).
She is surrounded by strangers. How does a stranger not be a stranger, a threat not a threat, a stranger become a comforter to reduce fears? What is our professional role and how is that the same as a nurse being a Christ-follower?
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:4).
One of the most intimate caring actions we can do is to wipe away tears from someone's face. Even touching someone's face in care is interpreted as an act of intimacy and closeness often reserved for parents or significant others. Yet, we are allowed and honored to do this act for strangers, as well as engage in other forms of gentle caring touch. It is a special place nurses have in society, and as Christian nurses an important arena of ministry.
Saved by Texts
While returning from duck hunting, the canoe of Thomas Mulvaney (17) and his grandfather Christopher Hoffman (73) flipped into an ice-cold marsh of the Hudson River. There was no help to be found and they were cold and soaking wet. Fortunately, the texting function of Hoffman's cell phone was still operational and he texted his stepfather who went for help. Hoffman continued texting for hours until his fingers were numb and the texts didn't make sense anymore. Finally, the fire department arrived and rescuers pulled the pair to safety as hypothermia was setting in (Yaniv, 2010).
Feeling Anxious and Overwhelmed?
Whether caring for others or for yourself, the next time you have anxiety and are feeling overwhelmed, think about these verses.
But you, O LORD, area shield about me,my glory, andthe lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the LORD, andhe answered mefrom his holy hill. I lay down and slept; I woke again, for theLORDsustained me. I will not be afraidof many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Psalm 3:3-6, ESV
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4, ESV