Recently I was thinking about eternity. You know, Heaven. I often think about what it will be like, and I anticipate a place described as having no more tears or pain. I mean, who doesn’t? But then I’m reminded of my job. My vocation, my skill, my calling, that thing that I’m good at will no longer be a thing. If there will no longer be sickness, disease, or pain then that kind of makes my job as a nurse obsolete in the hereafter. While I look forward to a time where illness doesn’t exist it did make me wonder about my choosing of a career that won’t be required in a perfect world. The thing is, even in an imperfect world I have days where I question my career!
Don’t get me wrong; I love Nursing, but it’s hard. And it’s hard not to question your career choice when it’s so challenging, when it’s so exhausting, when it’s so difficult to keep doing something in the face of ever-changing medicine and an overgrowing patient population. You love it, but some days you wonder if you’re really making a difference, if you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing in life, and if you’re still where God wants you to be. Just being honest.
Well, since I work as a nurse at the bedside full time, and I’m starting back to work tomorrow after an extended vacation, I was overjoyed when the Lord spoke to my heart this morning during my quiet time in His still small voice.
This is what I felt like He spoke to my heart, and if you’re a nurse then perhaps it will speak to yours as well.
You’ve been thinking a lot lately how your job will exist in Heaven. And it won’t. But I want you to understand it’s important now.
The healing, it is a portal, a symbol of my ultimate healing. What you do opens the gateway to what I’ve already done. I have restored health and life for eternity. In this life you bring my healing, a foretaste of the divine, a prelude of the eternal healing that exists for all.
Take privilege and honor that I chose you for this task. It isn’t for the weak! You hold the key, and the key is light.
You are the light of the world. Believe it.
One day all will be healed. Until that day I have you.
When they see you, they see me.
Nursing can be a difficult and taxing calling, but it is just that; a calling. Nurses are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, but even more so we are called to show the light of the Lord. We are afforded the opportunity to offer healing on this side of Heaven, until ultimate healing is available. The days can be long and hard, but to know I have been handpicked for such a task as this by My Father gives me renewed purpose and joy. I pray you receive it also.
Kristy Peterson says
I had just been contemplating was my job worth the frustration, lack of sleep, stress, and occasional feelings of being an unable to help some one/ families. I am amazed that God answered my internal struggle with out me asking by having some one who is way more articulate than I create a blog post to help me process what I am feeling. So Thanks, Brie for helping me.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
You’re welcome, and thank you for your comment.
Sonya Bledsoe says
Oh what sweet words ou Father gave you and thank you so much for sharing them with us!! I didn’t dream of being a nurse as a child. I had planned to be an accountant, but God had other plans. Nursing found and saved me. I was headed down a self destructive path after my parents had died my senior year in high school, all caught up in my will not so much God’s will. Then a friend suggested I go to work as a home health aide with her. Not sure I could do it or would like it, I opted to give it a try as the pay was decent. I LOVED it! I worked weekends, soon entered LPN school when the wait for the RN program was too long. When I completed that I couldn’t believe I was getting paid to do this. No I am not a saint some day I did want to go scan groceries at Ingles or greet shoppers at Walmart but over all content. I had a daughter, without a husband, went back to school, work a zillion hours I think….fast forward a few, I am now 48, married for the first time to. Godly man, my daughter is in her 2nd year of college ( yep, nursing major), and I am still overall very blessed to do what I love and love what I do nurse at the bedside in some way since 1991!! God is good
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
God bless you. Thank you for commenting.
Dottie McEwen says
I have been a nurse for 40 plus years and just yesterday spent the worst day of my life in the profession. It honestly made me question what in the world am I still doing in this mess of a profession. One phrase you stated is the answer. It is my calling. It is that simple. It is my calling and I cannot walk away from that until God releases me. That has not happened yet. Thank you for your well written post.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
Denise Bayer says
Ahhhhhh… Love this post as my second daughter just entered college in pursuit of a nursing education!!
Yes, there is no greater profession than that of nursing and serving others. To be called to be His earthly hands and feet is an honor given to His select.
We have been asked to carry a Godly presence as we care for others in their most vulnerable time. May we always reflect upon our nursing profession in service and loving kindness to others.
I’m so proud of our nursing profession and the opportunities it allows us as we shine forth!!
Thanks Brie.. Well said, as always!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!
Dave says
One of my most recent encounters with a nurse was when I was in recovery after back surgery! The sweetest and most gentle voice was speaking my name as I was waking up from the anesthesia! Just the sound of someone who was there for me with soothing ice chips and assuring me I was okay! My nurses I encounter at my primary care physician can do so much to make my day as they head for me with needles and in situations none of us like to be in! I enjoyed so much talking to one the last time I was in! Just a warm and caring lady & I could tell she was a single mother as she told me about trying to care for her children alone! She was one who probably needed an encouraging word herself but she was doing her all to make my day better! It is a ministry really as you help others and I’m sure say a prayer for them under your breath that God will be with this person who is often in a time where they need someone and their prayers the most! Keep up the good work Brie!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!
CHRISTIAN BESS says
Thank you for sharing your heart with us. I truly appreciate the words of encouragement on your blog. I am a new grad nurse who does feel called to this profession, but I am struggling with all the challenges I am faced with every day on the floor. Sometimes I question if I have what it takes to do this job and do it well. I love caring for people but I feel there are so many demands placed on me at work and I am feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. It helps to be reminded that I was chosen to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Your blog is also I light in this world.
God Bless,
Christy
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!
I remember that my entire first year as a new grad I was overwhelmed and anxious. I can promise you it does get better. You’ll always have demands that you feel exceed your capabilities, but nothing like you feel that first year out of school. So take heart!
Brenda says
I’ve been nursing for 43 years and everyday I thank God for choosing this career for me!
DSL says
As a ER nurse, I had the amazing opportunity to assist when a new life began, intervene when a life was horribly interrupted, share with a family
someone’s last wish or (actual!) breath occurred and knew that my own soul was tested. That I live close to an ocean saved me. I could see the colors in the sunrise that Crayola never matched, see the ever-changing water and the horizon that saw sailors safely home and that was my even. Too many sunrises have passed without the homage they deserve. I cherish each one I am blessed to see.
DONNA Gardner says
As a critical care nurse of 42 years, I have no doubt I was chosen by God to be in this profession. Yes, there are many instances of doubt and frustrations through the years, yet God always shows me that I am where I need to be through the interactions with special patients. The last few days I have had the privilege of taking care of that special patient that touched me beyond belief in his journey of fighting terminal cancer. His demeanor and face would actually shine with God’s light as we would talk about God and his grace. As I cared for my patient’s wounds and pain, we would discuss our purpose in life. He was always so grateful for anything I did, and I let him know also what a blessing he had been to me to be my patient. I know it was not by accident that I was assigned to him……and then, on my break, the first thing I saw on Facebook was this article! What a blessing……and again…..not by accident, but by God! Thank you for your wonderful words of encouragement!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you, and God bless you.
Eileen Owens says
I just don’t think that it is nurses that have those feelings. I work for a school district and have for many years and I see times at the school when there are children that need a person to talk to, a kind word, a bandage on an imaginary “owie”, just a little bit of attention, and encouragement, and I think that God has given me some patience that I never thought I could muster up so that I could deal with the kids that are somewhat impossible to get along with, just so that they will never feel that they have no one to come to. Sometimes it is hard, but a child needs a person they can trust and that won’t judge every move they make. I am not a teacher, but work at other jobs at the school, so I am in a position where I can have more time to listen to them than if I was in a crowded classroom. I think it is kind of the same feeling that nurses get when they feel like they are making a difference in a life of a patient. Everyone needs a little special attention and love at some time or another and it makes a lot of difference. Thanks to all the nurse out there who give their all. Teachers and school employees do a lot of the same thing. They worry about their students..will they have food for the weekend, will they be treated good, will their Mom be home, etc. It is a hard job and if you do a good job of your job, you are a blessing to your profession. Just pray for the nurses and the teachers and all of the professionals who work in the not so glamorous jobs. God bless all of youo!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you, and God bless you. The Lord places us all in a position to be His hands and feet, to bless others, and to show His love and kindness.
Jen says
❤️❤️❤️ I was literally having a conversation less than 30 mins ago with a very dear friend who is struggling immensely after losing his father to cancer. Since that time, he has been having extreme difficulty grasping the idea of Heaven and why I work so hard doing what I do… I tried and tried to find words to explain but couldn’t come up with exactly how to say it… Then minutes after our conversation ended I came across this…. Thank you for sharing! Absolute perfect timing – I just sent this link to my friend! ❤️❤️❤️
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!
Rhonda Templeton says
Beautifully said! This is so accurate, and I leave this world oneday afterwhile, God will tell me I served his people well <3
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
Ginger Starnes says
Thank you for this post. Having been a NICU and mother/baby nurse for 30+ years, I have had beautiful days: happy deliveries of healthy babies, premature babies graduating to home, and I’ve encountered devastatingly bad days where anticipated normal delivery turns bad, and days when a preemie was progressing wonderfully only to develop sepsis and die. Oh the many times I’ve struggled with the choice of my profession, and as I pray, I’m quietly reminded….I was chosen to be a nurse ❤️ Every time I waver, and I have resisted, God sends me a patient to remind me why I am a nurse. I am now blessed to be teaching the next new nurses, and yes I doubt my ability at times , but I know that God doesn’t make mistakes ….his timing is perfect ❤️