Over a year ago a wrote a post about a patient I encountered in my job as a nurse. For my long-term readers you may recall Princess. Everyone else can read it here. But basically the woman I’m talking about was broken. She was reduced to a shaking, shell of a woman due to addiction, and a slew of other things that had occurred in her life over the years. I was used to seeing overdosed drug addicts on my unit, so much so that it actually became commonplace. In fact it was hard not to become frustrated and short on patience with people who seemed to live a life that would be the death of them.
Yet this woman was different, and although she resembled in her presentation so many that had come before her, on this particular day God tore open my heart for her. I think it was the utter and complete brokenness I saw in her eyes, and as a former abuser of alcohol and broken woman myself, my heart went out to her.
I didn’t think I did anything special that day, but I did speak the truth as I felt God speak it to me. As He had indeed spoken it into my very own messed up past. I just told it like it was, and I let her know about the Father heart of God. I spoke to her of what that meant for her character, and as a princess, rather than “trash” or an addict, she held a lofty title as God’s heir. I suppose when you become aware for the first time of your royal and special existence as a child of the King it can kind of change everything.
Two weeks from our first meeting she called me at work. I really couldn’t imagine the impact I had made on her until that moment, but through our conversation it hit me. I guess we’re all unlikely heirs to the throne, but then to realize God loves us anyway, well, that’s a game-changer for sure. And she wanted to change.
We exchanged numbers, and promised to keep in touch. She planned on attending a rehab of some sort, and I was just honestly humbled that I had made an impression on her that inspired her to change. I couldn’t believe that God was using a former addict like myself as a saving grace for another, and the idea that I was a catalyst for her desire to change was huge to me. Go God, right?!
That’s been well over a year ago. I kept her contact information saved to my phone, and about once every three months I would see her name, pray for her, and send her a text letting her know I had. In retrospect I probably should have prayed more frequently, but that is neither here not there. Regardless, I never received a response back. Never.
After the first couple of times I resigned to the fact that that could be a bad thing. We see it a lot in the field of medicine, and I had seen it in my own life. So many times addicts desire to change, but they relapse. Despite the fact that I was sure Princess’s nonresponse meant awful things, I still held out hope. I mean eventually everyone who wants to change has to change, right? Or they die. But I pushed that thought away.
So imagine my surprise when a week ago, out of the blue, I received a message from my absent friend. We talked on the phone, and I was pleased to hear that she had not contacted me due to the fact of her completing a year of inpatient rehab. She was clean, sober, and determined to continue her journey of healing. Beyond that she also was quite adamant on letting me in on how much I meant to her. If I had a mirror I’m sure I would have seen myself blushing.
It seems that growing up she hadn’t known much about God, and my conversation with her had been new territory. I guess you get so used to people being raised in a Christian environment in the South that it’s actually shocking to learn that the Father God principle is something new. I mean, can you imagine discovering for the first time how special you are in your Savior’s eyes? Do you remember that feeling? Nothing compares. And nothing else can change you like that.
And I guess that’s the whole point, the whole thing God’s been telling me through this. Only He can change a person’s heart, but we can be that catalyst for change. Only God can take a sinner and somehow make them a saving grace for another lost child of the King. Only God can draw in hurting hearts, but He can use me to call their name. He can use me to show His heart. What an honor.
Would I sit complacent when he urged me to show His love to others, or would I let Him use me? Would I accept the call to assist Him in changing lives?
It’s easy to assume some lost people are so far gone that they’ll never be found, and it’s even easier to assume you can have no role in something so difficult and life-changing. But God would tell you that you can. God would tell you that through Him all things are possible. What an encouraging thought.
Naturally Princess wishes to keep me up to date on her progress, and I’m tickled pink to be a part of her transformation as it continues. I’m hopeful for her future, and as I think of how drastically God altered my own life I believe for her that change is possible.
We always have to believe that change is possible.
ruthiespage says
Beautiful! I remember her story and it is so good to hear such an amazingly awesome ‘rest of the story!” Thank you
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
I was hoping you would catch this one!
Chasity says
We all need to hear this message, and I’m so happy for the change in this woman’s life.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Yes. Thank you.
Susan says
Tears in my eyes! Thank you for reminding us what a powerful vehicle we can be for God, our Father. I needed the reminder.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!