My Sense Of Practical wisdom in the sickroom involves healing my own thought. God-inspired thought, like a candle, lights up the room. When I make decisions as to what kind of practical care to give an individual, I ask myself, What is really needed here? What is the need behind the need? This is a prayer for wisdom. Unlike routine maintenance care, this nursing prayer provides me with fresh and flexible ideas for practical care.
Blessed moments in nursing often come in the midst of mundane acts, such as filing toenails. In these moments, bent over in service to God, I feel His love most intimately and tangibly. I feel how much God loves this individual, how much He cares, how detailed His love is. These are tender occasions.
I expect progress and healing rather than routinely provide services tailored to the nurse's convenience. I am there to support what Mary Baker Eddy describes as ". . . the patient's spiritual power to resuscitate himself." Science and Health, p. 365. No matter how much easier it might be for me in the short run, I avoid doing everything for the patient and help only as needed. In fact, I playfully say, "I'm in the business of getting fired."
