Birthing while working
One of the most beautiful events in a woman’s life is the ability to give life to another human being. Conceiving, carrying, nurturing, and delivering a precious human soul into the earth realm is one of the most miraculous events ever known to mankind. Although we have gained much research regarding the intricate, detailed, design of the human body, still the human being remains a mystery because of its complex relationship between the body, soul, and spirit. I believe that every human being is a walking miracle traveling through space and time created to impact others’ lives on a journey to a destination here on earth. One moment in time can alter your entire destiny in a flash--just by embracing and being open to it. This chapter is an example of one miraculous moment that totally altered lives that would not have normally been touched, if this moment had not occurred. The word “miracle” according to Webster’s dictionary, is “an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause a remarkable event or thing.” Miracles are not promised, but they happen all the time and we can receive so much from a miracle if we can “see” or grasp it.
My favorite nursing theorist, Jean Watson, explains that the Latin word “Theoria” means “to see,” so my job in this chapter is to help you to see one of the most wonderful miracles that has ever manifested in my life while I was at work. My prayer is that you would be inspired to the point that you will begin to recognize all the many miracles that happen that you would have normally not recognized, had you not read this chapter. My task also for this book is to cause you to recognize that you are more than your occupation. You are a moving body of love and compassion and you have a power that can create love and healing and release miracles into the earth realm just by simply caring and being who God ordained you to be.
Count Your Blessing
I have been a registered nurse for 26 years; the last 10 of those a Nurse Leader. It has been one of the most rewarding jobs filled with so many daily blessings. When God gives us a dream, vision, or idea it takes a process to birth. If you ask most people who they are, they would probably say; “I am a nurse, I am a doctor, or I am a secretary,” but notice the question is not what do you do? The question is who you are? This was a powerful distinction because I was working but began to experience unrest right in the center of my gut. Although I was successful, working, making a great salary, something deep within me was longing for something more. I began to recognize that although nursing is what I do, it is not who I am. It is part of my journey that allows me to make a difference in people’s lives, but my Manufacturer was calling me to do more. It is my occupation, not my vocation so there was this restlessness within me that I wrestled to figure out how to merge who I am with what I do. Can you understand that phrase? Does what you do line up with who you are? In my case, my job matches my make-up thus becoming a vehicle that God is using for my transformation and elevation. However, for many people their occupation does not match their vocation thereby producing frustration, stagnancy, and unrest.
Instead of recognizing this and counting my blessings, I allowed my frustration, grumbling, and complaining to make me blind to what God was doing. I was in my process and it was making me uncomfortable, so I decided to complain about it. God spoke and said, “Daughter, why are you complaining? You are blessed! Count your blessings, open your eyes, and you will see why I have you here. I immediately stopped complaining. My job was a gift that He blessed me with as part of my process and life journey. I had an organization that believed in excellence, quality, and leadership. I was encouraged to upgrade my leadership skills and knowledge with free training. “Wake up! Charlene, you are inspiring people to become the best version of themselves right here at work.” I immediately repented because I had gotten so consumed with the fact that I was so tired of working that my eyes became dim. I wanted to just quit, jump out on faith (or should I say foolishness) and birth my dream. The very thing that I needed to help me become the best version of myself was the very thing that I was trying to run away from. Lord, help us to see how You see!
How many of you complain and get so frustrated about the job that you have asked God for? Stop complaining and count your blessings. Look around you and see the silver lining. Look around and see who God is using to sharpen you…to push you…to teach you! You are in the process every day and you need to be ok with that. During this process, He uses people and our situations to love harder, to forgive quicker, to yield more, to innovate solutions, and to dream more. If we keep running from the process, we will never become that brilliant diamond that he is trying to create us into.
