WORTHY TO BE LOVED

In my years of community nursing, I had the privilege of visiting clients in posh gated communities with beautiful sprawling homes and golf courses. In contrast, I also was honored to enjoy clients in falling down homes often lacking in sanitation, safety and comfort. No matter what the environment, I discovered that the treasure was not in the surroundings but in the people themselves.

Each home visit required I carry out a prescribed nursing plan of care. As a young nurse, I was easily intimidated by any hint of rejection by the client. But it didn’t take long to figure out that my nursing agenda was not successfully carried out if I did not validate the client with recognition that they had worth. Wisdom and courage grew as I prayed for guidance. I learned that the most ornery, stoic or denial filled nursing client usually softened when a sincere complement was given concerning their person or things.

A genuine listening ear with an occasional qualifying question could in minutes, allow me to gaze into a small window of a life worth loving. Clues to those character treasures were recognized through a simple interaction the client might have had with a pet, pictures of loved ones or personal trinkets surrounding the individual.

The interaction was not about my claiming a successful visit but gaining the confidence of the client and affirming their value as a person. Taking time to listen to their story or thoughts gave me the opportunity to validate something worthwhile about their life, something loveable about them as a person.

Through successive visits, a growing relational trust developed between the client and myself. Often the client became more motivated to take responsibility for the nursing plan of care, which allowed for improved long-term health. Recognizing lives that were worthy of love and commendation became for me a privilege.

What was my inspiration? I think it had to do with learning to accept this truth about myself. A loving mighty heavenly Father created me, just the way He wanted me to be and filled me with loveable and commendable nuggets of His treasures. This truth gave me confidence and inspiration to encourage others.

Self-rejecting thoughts still clamor for my attention and how about those challenging individuals who are easier to ignore, avoid and reject? The truth is we are all the creation of a mighty heavenly Father. We are all worthy of love and respect. Armed with that truth, I choose to focus on what Father Creator says about me. I choose to engage in conversation with those I prefer to ignore.

What father does not enjoy credit for the commendable things recognized in his children? Therefore, every time I point out these treasures to individuals, I not only bless them but also their Creator Father, whether the individual receives the blessing or not.

And what about all the negative choices and character traits? I certainly stand guilty on both counts, as does every living person. I’ve learned that my Father Creator has the answer to those undesirables. As He gently points them out to me, I turn and look at Him. Not in fear cause I know He regards me as His beautiful creation needing Him more than anything else. He forgives. I ask Him to live His promises through me, we are all commended and He receives the credit!

Psalms 139  O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away.  You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.  You both precede and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know!  I can never escape from your spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there.  If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night– but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are both alike to you. You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous–and how well I know it.

 

 

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