For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:12
I breathed a sigh of relief as I headed for the elevator at the end of a busy day and prayed “Thank you Lord for seeing me through this day.” It had been a busy day as a clinical nursing instructor: observing the students as they provided care, encouraging them as they made the connections between what they learned in classes and what they saw in practice, and supporting them as they performed new skills. I continued talking to God: “Thank you for this great job, Lord. It is truly a joy to be able to observe these students. They are so caring and compassionate; I know you must have great plans for them!”
When I entered the elevator, another nurse got on and leaned wearily against the back wall. I quietly asked “tough day?” She looked at me with tears in her eyes, softly said, “Very tough.” She told me about an extremely ill patient. She wasn't sure what good she did for him that day. I told her that I had felt the same way and often just had to pray that God would direct me to do what he needed me to do at that moment for that person. She smiled slowly.
As we got off the elevator and headed to our cars, she said, “I think God sent you to me today. I needed to be reminded He is in charge and I just need to keep doing my best.”1 Corinthians 12 tells us, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” We can look forward to the day when we will understand fully; until then, we just need to trust and let God work through us.
Terry Cottle
Nursing Professor