I've been following the Urbana '12 stream this past break. I expected this "testimony" portion to be..not so moving..compared to David Platt's piercing sermon and other expositions in Luke so far. However, boy was I in for a surprise..
Thoughts after the video: The enormity of troubles in third world countries due to lack of access to medical supplies and educated individuals always hits home, as a nurse-to-be, but this video has taken that to another level, near tears. Awareness is one thing, but action is another. I hope to one day have the opportunity and courage to really put into practice the skills and compassion I've learned the past few years. In a conversation at CFW '12, Fred Bailey asked if I was going to Urbana...and at the time, I was planning to. There would be many organizations where I don't have to give a year at a time (a concern of mine as a new grad nurse) but I could "tithe" in a way, a month each year...or something to that nature.. I thought to myself..wow that's perfect! I have always thought of doing some missional work with my very applicable, very hands on profession...(not to mention my oh-so-caring heart...haha.. :) Unfortunately I am not at Urbana..but I feel that this is still a call to..make sure my "yes" isn't a flimsy, wishy-washy thing that could get put on the back burner down the road, to ensure that my heart really IS aligned with his and that the love I can share can be far more than I will ever be able to see with my human eyes.
I've been thinking about starting a blog for a while...I always postponed it though, because I'm not the most eloquent person or into technology with these types of things. What pushed me over the edge was not to "have more thoughts" or "see how many views I'll get" but more...that I could record my patient interactions from clinical and realize what God has been doing in my life and those around me. I'm on a path to "help people," but what good is it if I can only recall a handful stories about people who have changed me? Surely there have been more than that, but my memory naturally and easily fades amidst frustration, tiring hours, and things to do when I get home. By now, my senior year in college, with 288 clinical hours this semester..and probably over 400 hours total, with work on TOP of that.. I should have a lot more to say about how UMHS has softened my heart to God's suffering people.
So, at a screening of Nefarious: Merchant of Souls, 12/7/12, I thought "I think I do a lot to fight injustice and oppression..as much as a college student can at least, without breaking my bank account, but I see a lot of suffering within a mile from my campus, how can I share THAT?"
Once in a while, I'll have a friend ask, "How was clinical/work? Any good stories?" And even less, I've been able to tell the trials and triumphs I have the privilege of witnessing. It's as much of an exercise for me, as much as for you the reader, to open my eyes to how these people have molded me, shaped me, and produced me into a compassionate and caring nurse.
