a soft answer turns away wrath

Sick people feel miserable. They are frequently irritable, hateful and angry due to fear, pain, hopelessness and other factors. It is quite common to arrive at the hospital for work/clinical and hear in nursing report from the previous shift that the patient in room whatever is horrible, mean, hateful, demanding, negative, etc.

However, it has been my experience that the patients do not behave in that way if they are approached in a gentle manner, with a kind voice and with eye contact. When they know they are being cared for and listened to--they respond with the same attitude. Sometimes it takes a couple of trips into the room--but I have been amazed at the change in their attitude after having their needs met to the best of my ability.

I hope that God always provides me the grace to treat people with patience, kindness, compassion and respect.

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly.
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good.
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit." 1 Peter 15:1-4

The Big Picture

Today I worked with a nurse at Mercy who began her nursing career by doing door to door community nursing in Mexico. She expressed how much joy there was in serving the needs of the people. They were so appreciative. There was no pay for her except her food. The doctor was sometimes paid with money, sometime with tacos and once a live turkey that the nurses had to watch at the clinic until he could take it home. Her eyes sparkled as she shared about that year of service.

She talked about the vast difference in nursing now in the US. She said there is always concern about every little thing because you can get in trouble. She said in Mexico she worked without fear, serving 'from the heart'.

I look forward to doing that in Africa--but I know it will come with the expense of not having sufficeint supplies, diagnostic equipment, a wide variety of medications and support staff if I serve in the remote area I imagine. I am committed to learning the most that I can over the next year and a half so that I can provide the best care possible with the resources at my disposal.