Nursing: My Obvious Choice

After much waiting, debating, procrastinating, and hesitating, I have taken the steps to acquire my Associate's Degree in Nursing. I began my pre-requisites for Registered Nurse through the Allen Community College Online Classes. My first semester began today.It is somewhat hard to believe that I have finally gone back to school to advance in the healthcare industry, but it is the only logical choice. I enjoy caring for others and I believe that the Lord approves of a career that requires a person to have and to share Christian attributes with others such as patience, love, selflessness, and caring for those that can not care for themselves. If you think about it, why would He bless us with these things if He did not expect us to express them to others. One of my favorite scriptures to meditate on when I am feeling conflicted on the job is when the Lord Jesus admonishes us with this passage from Matthew 25:35-40

"35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me (emphasis mine).

Yes, there are days when I am challenged and my character and disposition is put to the test, and it is at these times when I wonder why I chose to be a caregiver. However, through soul searching and prayer, I have come to the conclusion that I could never do anything else that would bring the confidence and emotional compensation that I receive from caring for the less fortunate. Whether they be old and feeble, or young and sick, I love making a difference. I enjoy Geriatrics and it is my belief that God has placed me in a job that I can reach out to someone either on staff or a resident (or elder), with the love of Jesus and testify of His wonderful mercy and amazing grace!Many of the residents that I see and care for each day, suffer from Alzheimer's Disease and have entered the final stages of dementia and the final days of their lives. To some, this may seem depressing or hopeless to be around. But there are days when you look into a patient's eyes and sense that they are scared or worried about what lies ahead for them. You see, they were once someone's daughter or son, they were once someone's sweetheart, someone's parent, brother or sister. They are not some old lady or old man with no past, present, or future, to be discarded or institutionalized like they no longer matter or have nothing to offer or contribute to life. I have been given an opportunity to try and reach these precious forgotten souls that may be lost and on their way to a devil's hell. I believe that I serve a great and merciful God that even in a persons darkest hours and last days of living on this earth, that not even an obstacle like dementia, can prevent Him from calling out to them. My God is able to offer salvation and eternal life to anyone. His Word confirms that!

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16) .

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved (Romans 10:13).

I believe that we should take every opportunity that God gives us to tell of our salvation, to tell of a God in heaven, that saves, delivers, and heals. In many places of business, my brothers and sisters in Christ do not get the opportunity to witness. With regulations and laws being passed every day, one risks being severely reprimanded or terminated for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so greatful that I am in an industry that it is permitted and encouraged to share with the people we care for. Me and my co-workers have discussions about the Lord and the Bible, and there are one or two that I work with, that I believe the Lord could and wants to really use, if they would just allow Him too and would surrender their lives completely to His will. Nursing is the best choice for me. I get to advance in a job that some have classified as a ministry. I get to spend time with a captive audience, and I have such contentment in my heart at the end of my day, that God was able to use me to touch someone's life. I may never know the outcome of my witnessing until I reach heaven, but as the song goes "if one soul is saved, it's worth it all"Please remember me in your prayers that God will always keep a desire in my heart to follow the teachings of Christ:

"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."(Matthew 7:12)

Should the Lord allow the world to continue on for many more years, each one of us will be old and dependant some day. Let us remember the importance of reaching out to them, the next time we see or hear of someone that needs God's mercy to work in their lives.