I spent five days in the hospital recently with a condition caused by a medication I take for another condition. I am still dealing with recovery and all the pain and fatigue that accompanies it. I have had a lot of time to think about that phrase “first do no harm,” but that is a topic for another time. Instead, what I have been focusing on are the positive and important things that came into view during this time.
Some things were obvious – the importance of family, the blessing of having praying friends and loved ones, the care of strangers, and the peace of God.
Family rallied around immediately taking care of my needs and Bob’s. Praying friends and loved ones lifted me up in prayer and I could sense those prayers and the peace of God surrounding me. As difficult (and embarrassing) as some of the hospital stay was, I knew God was with me and His peace and love were carrying me.
I am so grateful for the care of strangers. The people who came through that room, RNs, CNAs, technicians, hospitalists – not one left me with the feeling that what they were doing was just a “job.” They made me feel safe, valued … human. Men and women, all kinds and all types, joined together to care for me.
“For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” [Galatians 5:14 NLT]
For those days, I was the neighbor. Thank you LORD. Amen