Devotional May 6, 2020
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Thessalonians:
“We were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the Gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.” (1Thess 2: 7b-8)
It’s day four waiting… waiting for healing, waiting for an answer, waiting for just one or two hours of quiet, waiting for the doctor to stop, waiting on God’s grace to fill the anxious and restless spirit of my grandmother. Just when I am about to lose touch with reality, I hear the warm, strong, fierce, wise voice of Sarah, “You need to go and take a walk, get some food, and try and take slow deep breaths. I am here now, so you know Eva will be cared for, I am here so you can take a break.” All at once I feel a relaxing energy flow from the top of my head throw the bottoms of my feet. Yes, I know Eva will be cared for, because her nurse is on duty.
If you have spent any amount of time in a hospital room, you discover the giftedness, knowledge, ability to find true answers, care and compassion of nurses. Today is National Nurses Day and we read from www.nationaldayscalendar.com, “National Nurses Day is observed annually on May 6. On this day, we raise awareness of all nurse contributions and commitments and acknowledge the vital role nurses play in society. This day is also the first day of National Nurses Week and is sometimes known as National RN Recognition Day.
National Nurses Week begins May 6 and ends on May 12, which is the birthday of Florence Nightingale (May 12, 1820 – August 13, 1910). Florence Nightingale was a celebrated English, social reformer, statistician, and the founder of modern nursing. She became well-known while taking care of the wounded soldiers during the Crimean War. Nightingale was dubbed “The Lady with the Lamp” because of her habit of making rounds at night.
Today let us pause and offer our words and prayers of appreciation to the nurses, like Sarah, who are the voice of healing, comfort, hope, advocacy, wisdom, and love.
Let us pray:
Almighty, loving Lord, bless the nurses hands which you have ordained, empower them for healing, caring, strengthening, and comforting those who are suffering. Free them from any kind of adversity. My all nurses be filled with your compassion and walk daily in the healing light of your love,; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Blessing of a Nurses Hands
Each nurse extends both hands, palms up. With a small dab of oil on the thumb, the person offering the blessing makes the sign of the Cross on each palm while saying:
(Name), I anoint your hands in the name of the Father
who created, loves and sustains you,
the Son
who redeems you,
and the Holy Spirit
who empowers you.
May these hands bring comfort and healing to those they touch,
to the honor and glory of God. Amen.