"Time"

Today I was asked to give a gift that I don't have the power to give. As I was making my rounds in the hospital I treated a gentleman in the ICU. After the treatment I was handing him the nurse call button and making sure his phone was handy. I patted him on the shoulder and told him he did a great job, offered him some tissues, and asked if there was anything else I could get for him. His answer... his answer brings tears to my eyes at this moment just as it did when I was standing by his side. "Time". He wants more time. I couldn't speak. I couldn't respond. How callous I must have looked to him. Little does he know he's been on my mind all day. I'm sure he is reflecting on his life; smiling at the great moments but brokenhearted over the mistakes and imagining life going on without him. At this man's bedside was a picture of Jesus. He's just not ready to go home. What could I have said to offer comfort? What would Jesus have said? I've said it so many times and here I say it again... most of the lessons I'm learning in the hospital aren't about physical therapy but about patient care. I'm not sure where God wants me to end up and I don't know how good I will be as a therapist, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I care. I care about the sweet little lady who calls me "honey", I care about the guy with the great sense of humor, and I care about the man who no one wanted to work with because he had a bad attitude and abused the staff with his words. I care. It's the biggest lesson I've learned.

Dear Lord, my new friend in ICU wants more time. I'm not sure what your plan is for him whether his life is numbered in weeks or years, but please give him the peace he needs in order to live the rest of his days in contentment. Give him the opportunity to say the things he needs to say to those that he loves the most. Please, Lord, grant him peace.

A little understanding closes the gap.

I went to high school with a girl who was different than me. Years later we have reconnected on myspace and our paths are still very distant, maybe more so than ever. We've commented on each others blogs here and there, sent each other a message or two, but when it comes right down to it we are strangers who used to know one another. Through our casual conversations, and despite our obvious differences, I've found that we have a lot of similarities. We are both mothers to two beautiful little girls. We have both walked long, hard roads at some point in our lives. We have both been hurt and have had to press on with new and painful scars. Above all though, we both want to love and be loved. Recently, this girl posted a blog speaking truth about people who have influenced her, both good and bad. I was really surprised to find my name listed among the others. At first I thought maybe she was referring to someone else but after I read the post, I knew it was talking about me. Her comment was this:

"Dawn: Forces me to believe in a lot (not all) but a lot of the better good of people. You have been more kind, sharing and supportive than most of my "non-christian" friends have ever been....you're someone who should down right reject even the idea of me and you don't. I have a lot of admiration for you."

What kinder words could be spoken? She may never know this, but this is what I stand on. The very core of my being, every ounce of what I believe, has made an impact on a life so very different than my own.

Speak boldly but gently.

Meet others where they are and give what you have.

Be ready because you never know when it's your turn to wear the halo.