Most of my days are spent in a office of normal size, with normal things sitting on the desk. A computer, screen and printer. A fax machine, ample amount of paper to print things on or to send a fax with. We have organizers all around for the mixed up papers that often clutter the desk. My line of work doesn't get me posted on the front page of the paper, nor does it get any notification of grand design. I work for our local hospital and I work for our industry in our small community. What we do each day doesn't make print often if at all. It doesn't make a lot of money for our employer but thank God we are there.
Wednesday was a normal day just like any other, or it started out as such. However, within hours something would happen that would open my eyes to hurt and pain, not necessarily mine. We see many different walks of life come through our doors, we see the average Joe, we see those that have demons and addictions, we see those that are really just wondering how to pass a drug test when their lives are cluttered with drug use. We see those who are seeking help. And some of them actually are trying to get help.
Back to my story, a fellow was brought in because he was trying to get into a rehabilitation center for drug use. We have a contract with this place to draw blood and other tests. Most pass the test and are fine. A small percentage do not. It was this small percentage I happened to witness yesterday and it broke my heart to see such pain. I have no understanding of what it is like to be addicted to any drug that it controls everything I do or say. I have sympathy or empathy for those that experience this and I pray for them. But rarely do I see a person that so desperately seeks help and turned away. If you fail one test that they require, they can't take them into rehab. I saw such a person this week. On Wednesday we did the test. And as I often do I made small talk with the person on the other side of the needle that I must use to draw blood with. I recognized such a need in this person I began to pray after the patient had left my office. As I lay down for bed that night I prayed again. As I woke up the next day I prayed once more. Friday came and I was praying again. The patient came back for test results and the results were not good. This person was going to be turned away for treatment that he so desperately wanted and needed. As I stood there listening to one of the men from the facility I kept thinking to myself, why can't this guy get a break. Why can't he get totally clean. I felt a small voice in my heart speak to me, it said Go. I could not allow this man to leave our facility until I had spoken with him. I escorted the one guy back to the lobby and I walked over to this broken man, I sat down beside him and put my arm around his shoulders, as I sat there hugging this man, I told him I had been praying for him and that I would continue to pray for him. I also shared that he also needed to continue to pray and talk with God. To be strong.
I will never know if my words of comfort will make a difference in the life that was so broken or not. But I listened to the voice of God as He spoke to me as He often speaks with a small voice that nudges your heart. I hope beyond hopes that this man gets help. I hope he gets clean. and I hope that he looks to Jesus for strength to make it through another day sober and clean.
We never know what a day will bring forth. Sometimes we have happy stories, others are sad and some are inspiring and others break your heart as nothing else can. May we listen to that voice as it gently nudges our hearts the voice of God as he gently speaks to us. May we be a light to others living in darkness and may we serve others as God served on this earth. Each day brings hope to me, some, may not have that hope. I pray that the hope that lives in my heart will also be in the hearts that live with addictions or darkness. That is my story. It is one I won't forget for a while. I hope I never forget it. I hope I always remember to listen to the still, small voice that speaks to my heart. Let me Go when I am told.. simply to GO.
Wednesday was a normal day just like any other, or it started out as such. However, within hours something would happen that would open my eyes to hurt and pain, not necessarily mine. We see many different walks of life come through our doors, we see the average Joe, we see those that have demons and addictions, we see those that are really just wondering how to pass a drug test when their lives are cluttered with drug use. We see those who are seeking help. And some of them actually are trying to get help.
Back to my story, a fellow was brought in because he was trying to get into a rehabilitation center for drug use. We have a contract with this place to draw blood and other tests. Most pass the test and are fine. A small percentage do not. It was this small percentage I happened to witness yesterday and it broke my heart to see such pain. I have no understanding of what it is like to be addicted to any drug that it controls everything I do or say. I have sympathy or empathy for those that experience this and I pray for them. But rarely do I see a person that so desperately seeks help and turned away. If you fail one test that they require, they can't take them into rehab. I saw such a person this week. On Wednesday we did the test. And as I often do I made small talk with the person on the other side of the needle that I must use to draw blood with. I recognized such a need in this person I began to pray after the patient had left my office. As I lay down for bed that night I prayed again. As I woke up the next day I prayed once more. Friday came and I was praying again. The patient came back for test results and the results were not good. This person was going to be turned away for treatment that he so desperately wanted and needed. As I stood there listening to one of the men from the facility I kept thinking to myself, why can't this guy get a break. Why can't he get totally clean. I felt a small voice in my heart speak to me, it said Go. I could not allow this man to leave our facility until I had spoken with him. I escorted the one guy back to the lobby and I walked over to this broken man, I sat down beside him and put my arm around his shoulders, as I sat there hugging this man, I told him I had been praying for him and that I would continue to pray for him. I also shared that he also needed to continue to pray and talk with God. To be strong.
I will never know if my words of comfort will make a difference in the life that was so broken or not. But I listened to the voice of God as He spoke to me as He often speaks with a small voice that nudges your heart. I hope beyond hopes that this man gets help. I hope he gets clean. and I hope that he looks to Jesus for strength to make it through another day sober and clean.
We never know what a day will bring forth. Sometimes we have happy stories, others are sad and some are inspiring and others break your heart as nothing else can. May we listen to that voice as it gently nudges our hearts the voice of God as he gently speaks to us. May we be a light to others living in darkness and may we serve others as God served on this earth. Each day brings hope to me, some, may not have that hope. I pray that the hope that lives in my heart will also be in the hearts that live with addictions or darkness. That is my story. It is one I won't forget for a while. I hope I never forget it. I hope I always remember to listen to the still, small voice that speaks to my heart. Let me Go when I am told.. simply to GO.
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