I decided to be a nurse in 1992. I sat in my high school anatomy class and I was fascinated by the human body. I don’t think I ever considered I might have days where I am wiping the blood (or other bodily fluids) off of me and that I would contend with situations I did not want to be in.
In 1996 I started nursing school. Our teachers said “the healer’s art” so much that it became a joke as to who could include it in a prayer most frequently when we were asked to say it (I attended BYU, it is a religious school and we often pray before class, although not in every class).
It has only been recently that I have really started to think about the healers art. I’m currently in a point that I don’t have to work as a nurse. It’s changed my perspective on how I do things, why I’m there and who I’m actually healing.
The thing is, the people that TRULY need healing aren’t people you want to hang around. I wouldn’t likely call them on a Friday night and ask them to go get yogurt with me (although I have plenty of patients that ARE that way).
They’re the addicts, the homeless. The ones that smell, have lice, and have more problems than I can ever contemplate.
When Jesus walked the earth. Was he healing the sweet smelling, popular crowd?
Suffice it to say, that Jesus spent the majority of his time with those we would never associate with normally.
The kind you’d walk by and wonder why they can’t get it together, he was kneeling down and asking how he could help.
The kind that are yelling at imaginary bugs. He calmed them, showed them grace and love.
The one bleeding for years. He healed her. He allowed her faith to heal her. She was an outcast, could barely leave her home. He healed her.
This year I’m participating in the #LightTheWorld campaign. That means every day until Christmas you can really focus on a way that Christ served and think about how you can serve like that.
I, of course, chose day #5 as my focus: Jesus Healed the Sick and So Can You
I love the ideas for this day that they give (because I think the idea of “healing the sick” can feel overwhelming):
- Sign up to be an organ donor (btw, a lot of LDS people seem to think we’re not supposed to donate our organs — but I think this should end that dispute – thank goodness!) — I’ll add, let your family know of your wishes!
- Give blood at your local blood bank
- Resolve to pray daily for your loved ones who are sick or suffering
And I’d like to give a few more ideas that I thought of:
- Volunteer at your local hospital. Volunteers can help in amazing ways at the hospital, we are so grateful for them. From running the gift shop (to help with other needed items) to knitting hats or transporting well patients you can do a LOT of good. You also come face to face with those who TRULY need your service.
- See if there is a local psychiatric unit that needs help. I did a rotation at the state mental hospital in college. It was a privilege and an eye-opener that those people are just as ill as someone who needs cardiac bypass surgery, if not more. I firmly believe that if Jesus was on the earth today, he would spend a great deal of his time in places just like that.
- Check in on new moms. See if they need help and just how they are doing emotionally. Just folding laundry with them on the couch can do a lot of good.
- Look for the people who could use some healing. Be their friend. I absolutely loved this talk by Elder Holland in the priesthood session of last general conference. The story of the home teacher who takes the dad under his wing is really inspiring. And a good reminder that healing can come by anyone, not just by a nurse wielding antibiotics.
- Look for the people you normally wouldn’t hang out with. They might smell, or be difficult to understand. They might have unruly kids, hair or clothes. They might take a lot of effort to be with (especially for the first bit). But I think it’s a good reminder that is who Jesus stayed by. He knew they needed Him. I know they need us. {this particular one is one I REALLY need to work on — it’s a goal of mine this year}
It’s a wonderful example to all of us. I hope you’ll follow the #LightTheWorld campaign. December 1st is a worldwide day of service. It doesn’t need to be big — just whatever you CAN do. As for me, I’ll be at the hospital all day. I’m grateful for the good examples I’ve had of healers, including my savior Jesus Christ. I am going to resolve to be a better friend, nurse and healer this month!
Hopefully, by doing that I’ll be better at it forever. 🙂
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