"There now, that's it. Just a little more and you'll have finished your strawberry shake!"
The words came from a CCU room where the instructions shouted, "Nothing by Mouth." A nurse stood beside the bed, adjusting an IV bottle filled with a strawberry-colored liquid.
As the nurse emerged, smiling, I asked how his day was going.
"Just great," his smile broadened. "I'm just doing a little 'good nurse-marine sergeant' routine with Mrs. Smith this morning."
Good Nurse: All of those kind and sweet and nice words that help the patient and her family feel secure, appreciated and loved.
Good Nurse: The soft smoothing of the bed, re-arranging the bedside stand and looking in the door "just checking on you."
Marine Sergeant: The crispness of voice as you explain that the medicine must be taken "NOW."
Marine Sergeant: "Get out of bed and walk around the room.
Yes, it'll hurt now, but it'll keep the adhesions from developing!"
Marine Sergeant: "Yes, you'll have to use the bedpan. I'm afraid you might faint on the way to the bathroom. Sorry!"
Marine Sergeant: "Take a deep breath now. That's right, breathe all the way in. Of course it hurts! That's part of getting well!"
Good Nurse: Caring enough to command.
It is possible that some patients will progress best while being tended by "Good Nurses." It is also possible that some patients need a stronger dosage of "Marine Sergeant." Only caregivers know for certain, caregivers whose goal is the total health of their patients.
I'm glad God is a wise caregiver. He knows when to give me the soft caresses of grace and when to add a little thunder into my life. He knows when I need His DIRECTION!! And when I need a strawberry shake.
He knows, because His goal is my total, complete, personal, forever, spiritual health.
"I have loved you with an everlasting love," He says. "I have drawn you with loving-kindness... I will discipline you, but only with justice." --Jeremiah 30:11 and 31:3
ENCOUNTER:
1. How is God serving as "Marine Sergeant" in your life?
2. How is He serving as "Good Nurse"?
3. What directions do you feel God is giving you at this time of your life? How are you responding?
4. How are you being a "Good Nurse" or "Marine Sergeant" for those closest to you?
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