Tag: teachable

25 Years of Lessons

Emphatically I stated that I would never be a nurse. My mom shared enough disgusting stories that I had no desire to enter that field. However, I did want to pursue something that helped people. The joke is on me, because I’ve now been a nurse for 25 years. 

It seems a good time to pause and share how thankful I am for the many who have helped me along the way, from instructors who highlighted the importance of treating each patient as you would treat a beloved family member to experienced ICU nurses who demonstrated the proverb that “calmness lays great errors to rest”. On one of my first days they amazed me by calmly shocking and reviving a patient who went into cardiac arrest. I have learned so much in these last 25 years.

Here are a few of the biggest lessons:

* Each breath is a gift. Say what you need to say to those you love today. Don’t put off spending time together, forgiving someone, or calling someone you’ve been thinking about.

* Don’t take yourself too seriously. Learn to laugh at yourself, even your mistakes. Yes, learn from them, but then move on.

* Combing a patient’s hair is important work. Simple things like that remind them and us that they are treasured human beings with dignity. 

* Life on earth does not go on forever. You can be prepared for death and not fear it, because Jesus conquered it. He invites each of us to place our trust in Him for eternal life.

* Slow down and take time to notice all the beauty around you. There is so much!

* Stay teachable. There are always more lessons to learn and often they come from unexpected places and unexpected people. 

* A smile is the same in every language.

There are many more lessons I could share, but you get the idea. What have you learned in the past 25 years or so?

“Leave inexperience behind, and you will live; pursue the way of understanding.”

(Proverbs 9:6) 

“Remember: Life is short. Eternity is not. The opportunity to make a difference is now.” 

– Mike Woodruff

A few pics of some of my favorite people to learn from…

Fun moments!
Silly moments.
The best family!

Farther On

To be quite honest, my first reaction was to defend myself. I even told people who weren’t involved, simply so I could justify my actions. My second and later and better reaction was to examine the situation and see if there was any truth in the criticism I had received. There was. I actually stopped and considered what I could have or perhaps should have done differently. I learned from it. I am constantly learning, and I want to remain teachable. However, as Russ Taff sings, “I long to learn, but I’m so slow at being taught.”

This is just a small glimpse into one of many failures, bad choices, bad reactions, etc. Thankfully, none of it changes God’s love for me. I think of how much I love my granddaughters even when they pout, fight, get mad, or don’t listen. God’s love is like that. Nothing changes it. Nothing.

Here’s a little poem/action rhyme I often share with my sweet granddaughters. Perhaps you will want to share it with the little ones in your life or just read it to remind yourself of God’s unconditional love.

I love you when you’re standing up and when you’re sitting down.

I love you when you’re being still and when you’re moving ‘round.

I love you when you’re right side up and when you’re upside down.

I love you when you’re laughing and even when you frown.

I love you – all the time!                    

 (Author unknown, please feel free to identify the author if you are able to)

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” I John 4:10

Nothing changes God’s love for us.

My sweet granddaughters:)