Say what you will about our health care system, the equity of how people receive it, or how expensive it is, and chances are I’ll agree with much of what you say.  We all know there are problems and a lot needs to be fixed.  But if you will, for just a short time here, I’d like you to set all the political rhetoric aside and focus on the people who provide healthcare in America.  While it’s obvious I can’t speak to every community, I can speak to the handful of people on one team here in the middle of South Dakota that I was blessed to meet this week.  I believe they represent their counterparts everywhere for the most part. 

You see, I just spent three days and nights up close and personal with some of the finest people I’ve ever met right here in our local hospital.  From the moment I walked through the emergency room entrance door until the moment I stepped back into the parking lot three days later, I was treated with kindness and care from some of the most genuine people.  Each one, from the person who stocked the supplies to my surgeon (no I didn’t have surgery, yet anyway), acted like I was the most important person in their world that day.  And they worked hard.  Bells and chimes were constantly sounding calling them to their next duty, all of which had to be extremely stressful.  If it was, not a one let on about it.  To me, each one of them exemplified Mark 9:35 where Jesus said, “Anyone who wants to be first must take last place and the servant of everyone else.”  

If I didn’t know better, I’d swear every person there had listened to my podcast last week where I talked about how important it is as caregivers to give a kind word or encouraging smile to their patients and how meaningful that work really is.   It was as though every person I encountered was taking my advice to heart. But I’m not naive to believe that any of them had ever even heard of me.  It was clear that they all truly loved their work and wanted to serve in whatever way they could.  

I detail a number of the things that blessed me in this stay in this week’s podcast, but one of the things that stuck with me most was how important our physical health is in conjunction with our mental and spiritual health.  If we are out of balance in any one area, we cannot function properly.  

I also realized that the “worst-case scenario” of my illness didn’t scare me. What did scare me was the realization that I might not be able to work according to the plan I had set up for myself for the remainder of the year.  All this talk about fully trusting God in ALL things in my life evidently hasn’t totally set in and I became fearful.  And that’s ok because I am allowed the grace to fall short of my expectations.  In fact, I love that I don’t have to be perfect to still do the work that I am called to do. 

How about you?  What area of your life to you need to work on? Do you need to stop striving for control?  Do you desire to have better relationships at home or at work?  Maybe you are finally ready to take some action to get healthy.  Or possibly its time to start that class or side gig you’ve been meaning to do.  Whatever it is, what’s holding you back?  If its time, you and you alone are in charge of how you spend your day.  If its money, contrary to what you may believe, you also have control over that.  If its fear, please remember that God put that desire in your heart for a reason.  He will help you and protect you…there is absolutely nothing to fear.  

Getting back to my three-day “medical retreat” this week, I just want to say that I learned so much from the hardworking and extremely caring people I met.  It was evident to me that each one gave their all during their grueling shifts each day.  It is clear that despite their personal sacrifices, they show up to help each of us in our times of greatest need.  They are my heroes and although it would be crazy to say that I’m looking forward to my return visit in a few months, I’m not dreading it.  In fact, I really hope to see at least a few those beautiful people again.  So thank you to all the people out there who show up every day, despite the challenges in your own lives, to help others heal. You are truly a blessing to us all.

Thank you for reading my ramblings today.  I’m always so humbled that you take the time.  I will close with this thought:  if you are hurting today, get help.  Life is too short to hurt.  We truly are meant to live amazing lives, but we can’t if we aren’t healthy or don’t feel well.  If you think I might be able to help you get on the right track, let’s have a conversation.  It’s free, it’s easy, and it truly could be the first step to changing your whole life.  I often hear people say they don’t want to bother me.  I get that.  I can feel that way too, but we are all here to help one another.  Asking is the first step.  I hate to think of the consequences had I waited much longer to reach out for help.  

If you are reading to this and you are one of the many care giver’s in the medical field, know that you are a gift. I hope this encourages you in some small way.   If you know of someone that could benefit from this message, please send it to them to my website so they can listen to the podcast or read this blog.  It would mean so much.

So go.  Be well.  Help someone out.  Show someone how much you care. It will Revive Your Soul.

Live in Courageous Faith and have an amazing week!