I thought we won't make it this past weekend. Lots of people had been calling in sick that made our staffing truly short. Last night was no exception. As the usual 3 nurses assigned in the Clinic alone were down to 2. It was difficult as it was only the other nurse and I to handle what would come our way if there was any emergencies from any of the 2,000 something inmates, on top of the full bins of doctor's orders from different disciplines: Dermatology, Medical, or Psychiatry.
One LVN didn't feel well and left early. That was tough to end up with only 2 LVN's by morning to do all the accuchecks of many diabetics. But deep inside, I knew we would make it. Not in our strength but with a supernatural strength. Who else to turn to but consult the Ultimate Power?
"I can do everything through Christ Who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:13
By 7 a.m., the bins had only 4-5 charts left. All the morning and noon medications had been prepared awaiting to be delivered by the morning medication nurses. All the diabetics' sugar levels were recorded. I volunteered to go to one of the female units with one having a low blood sugar and re-checked her to make sure she was okay. After being given her breakfast early, her sugar was at a normal level by the time I went back to her unit.
"Thank you," she whispered through the metal bars as she poked her finger and got a drop of blood for the monitor.
"I just want to make sure that you're feeling okay. Are you?"
"I'm fine, Ma'am. Thank you again," she repeated.
The 2 LVN's gathered their belongings as I got a hug and "thank you's" from them.
"We wouldn't make it if you didn't help us," they chorused.
"Oh...you're welcome guys...But you both help me, too when I am overwhelmed with tasks."
Their shadows had long been gone as the other nurse and I stared at each other and both breathed a sigh of relief. We knew we weathered that storm last night. And we did well. But I knew something far beyond that. That it would be our defining moment. And such was not marked by praises, nor by recognition, and applause. It would be remembered because it was the time we reached out with each other. It was the time we chose not to whine but instead, tried to accomplish things to the best we could. It was a moment we chose to see the positive instead of the negative. It was a time we chose to swim against the strong current instead of letting it drown us.
That is a defining moment. Not marked by life's achievements nor successes. Not proven by how big a house is nor how much assets one has in their savings. But it is something that reaches out to those who are in desperate need. To those who are hurting. To those who are in need of a Savior. A defining moment is bringing Christ's light to those areas of darkness to be His hands and feet. Of making that important decision first to surrender to Christ and to walk in His likeness. Resting on His promises and trusting in Him completely...
"Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked." ~ 1John 2:6
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." ~ Philippians 1:21
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." ~ Galatians 2:20
"And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." ~ Ephesians 5:2
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