First I must state that this post is not written to pat myself on the back, but rather to encourage and challenge us all.
Webster defines gratification as the pleasurable emotional reaction of happiness in response to a fulfillment of a desire or the fulfillment of a goal. When was the last time you felt that feeling? Do you get that feeling from your every day life chores, job, family or friends? Or do you feel like you are peddling a stationary bike getting no where, but hoping to get there. I would have to say that I have been feeling like I am on that stationary bike the past few months with my job. Peddling hard and fast but never making it past the starting line. It is a tiring and an emotional place to be.
Being in health care has it pros but also its cons. Lately, I have been dwelling on the cons. Lately, the cons have been more prevalent not because I was looking to be negative, it just keep staring me in the face. Yesterday at work I was busy doing the everyday routine and was stopped in the middle of it. Stopped for a good reason. The CEO of the hospital was rounding on patients and had rounded on two of mine. Those patients I was told spoke very highly of me as a nurse along with my personal touch to taking care of them. He went on to talk to me and thank me. I know it may sound corny but it meant a lot to me. Did I get a big award or raise? No (though the raise would have been nice). But honestly, just being acknowledge for my hard work was enough. Enough to know I was making the difference I hoped to and was needed. When I think about this it makes me frustrated that such a little thing was all I was looking for to feel like I was making a difference. How simple, and yet so complex. How many times do we go through our daily routines and never stop to really thank people that have
made a difference. Whether it was big or small. We are all looking for some type of gratification.
I love how encouraging Paul was when he wrote to the Philippians. I pray that I may love and encourage people the way he did in this passage below.
made a difference. Whether it was big or small. We are all looking for some type of gratification.
I love how encouraging Paul was when he wrote to the Philippians. I pray that I may love and encourage people the way he did in this passage below.
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy... And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God.... God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
Philippians 1:3-11
2 comments:
Oh Kate! I so empathize with you! As a teacher, I can get caught up in the calender of the year-performances, contests etc...and then start to wonder-"am I really making a difference to anyone at all?" Then an occasional e-mail from a parent thanking me for the impact I've had on their child comes and I can live on that one sentence for weeks!
Why do we, as Christians, need the approval or thanks of men to feel loved or appreciated? Are they 'Jesus-with-skin-on' for us to encourage us along the way or are we looking for recognition and validation? "Do not place your trust in princes." (Proverb x, y, or z) I really agree with what you're saying, I find myself falling a little farther down the pit and crossing the line of needing that validation, then being disappointed when it doesn't come.
I have to find my gratification in who I am to God and rest in the peace that He provides, trusting I'll get the ultimate Thank You at the end of the journey.
I'll get off my soapbox now:)
Well said, and again, I'd love to have you as my nurse any day and twice on Sundays!!
Carrie
Kate -- First off, thank you so much for your blog. I feel like reading it makes my heart softer and more open for our Savior. I always look at my job as being something where I do not make a difference for the better of people, especially when I look at professions like nurses and teachers. And please know that this is a sincere comment and not just that you are a nurse or that Carrie is a teacher. But that you do make a difference in peoples lives, whether it is recognized or not. As a mother I feel like I get caught up in the daily routines, the crazy logistics of schedules, adding more and more to our plates versus trying to simplify life to really be HERE for them. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and your experiences as I feel that we all have these feelings in one shape or another and your blog made me pause, think and reevaluate. So now that I feel like I am babbling :) I'll just say "thanks" again and of course "HAPPY EASTER" :)
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