Healing

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.” 3 John 1:2

 

One of my challenges as an operating room nurse is I seldom enjoy the fruits of our labors. 

I advocate and care for patients, but I don’t usually know the outcome. I don’t know if what we did was successful.

About two years ago I was on call and was summoned to work in the middle of the night. Our patient had been assaulted and robbed a couple blocks from Borgess Hospital. When I was reviewing the chart, I realized the patient was an acquaintance. He was a Roman Catholic deacon I had met at the Caregivers Conference at Transformations Spirituality Center. I don’t remember much about the case except taking him to the critical care unit.

The next time I encountered that deacon was a few weeks ago when I attended the memorial mass for a nursing colleague. As a non-Catholic, I was invited to receive a blessing instead of communion. I received a blessing from that former patient and it was a WOW moment for me.

On a day I had gone to pay my respects and be a supportive presence, I received far more than I gave. I thought I might connect with old friends and tell stories and laugh. I celebrated two lives that day — my deceased colleague and a healed servant. I was reminded that the work we do impacts many people. I was reminded that GOD IS GOOD — ALL THE TIME.

Prayer:  Loving and gracious God, make each of us healers. Help us find ways to spread your healing message wherever we go. All this we ask in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Nathan Martens