It’s pretty common for me to say something like, “I need a little Jesus” when I’m having a rough day. Maybe someone at work has lit my last nerve on fire. Or the lady at the service desk at Kroger was unbelievably lacking in professional skills. Maybe I just received some bad news. To some it might sound irreverent. I can assure you, it is NOT. Not even close.
I recently had a conversation with a friend who also happens to be a CCU nurse on the unit I call home. Rachel has a calling on her life. God has built her (equipped her) to take care of people. We spent some time reflecting on Covid. The way it impacted healthcare and specifically our hospital has been mind-boggling. The change it brought about in each of us as we worked in it every day is still being sorted out. The devastation to patients and their families was excruciating to watch.
Personally, I had just finished several months of chemo and radiation. The following week (which also followed my 50th birthday) we admitted our first known Covid patient. Staff were obviously concerned and took the situation seriously. However, at this early stage everyone was still extremely naive to what we were actually dealing with. I had been advised back in October that it would be best if I took some time away from work. My immune system would be compromised and a Med-Surg/CCU are brimming with patient infection. I actually never gave that suggestion more than two seconds thought. God is faithful to keep His promises. That meant I could trust His protection. Needless to say, Dr. Cole again recommended that I take some time away once Covid darkened our doors. But again, I had this sense of peace and truly believed I was supposed to stay with my team.
In only a matter of days, our unit turned into something we’d only seen in a movie. For many, concern turned to fear. I don’t recall the exact day, but I do remember the look. A team member came to my office and said, “Staff are asking for prayer. Karen wants to know if you can do that”. I took a deep breath, stood up, and went to war.
That’s not me trying to invoke any particular response. That’s me trying to convey how we felt. Part of that came from not actually knowing what we were up against. Some of it probably came from believing the worst was yet to come.
I walked the perimeter of the unit and invited anyone who wanted to join us in the visitor waiting area. Rachel was most likely the first one in the room. Several others joined as well that first week. I would start off with a Bible verse. We would go around the room to share concerns about patients. I would close our time with prayer.
In those initial days and even weeks, I was full of hope, and I even looked forward to our time in that room. Each day would bring someone who hadn’t participated before. They came in weary and hurting. But with the encouragement of peers and the fervent prayers we offered, they usually left with enough in their cup to get through the rest of the shift. It was such a terribly wonderful time.
If you had told either Rachel or I what our lives were to look like starting in 2020, we would’ve laughed. God surely outdid himself. He took the “little bit of Jesus” that each of us had carried our whole life, and He did amazing things.
At this point, I don’t have any idea how much I have to write on this topic. So, I’m going to remain obedient and just sit down with pen and paper. This I do know: a little bit of Jesus has saved Rachel and I over and over again. If you come back, I’ll tell you more.
Ephesians 5:15 ~ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.