I have had many people say, "I could never go back to school". Well, I think people underestimate their ability to do something out of their comfort zone. It's funny, when I was in my twenties and thirties I thought I wasn't smart enough to be a nurse. But coming through my forties, I have learned some huge lessons about myself - I am a very strong and determined woman who learns from her mistakes and moves on in life. My forties taught me a lot about who i am - my strengths and weaknesses, understanding the difference between what's urgent and important and knowing what's eternal from temporary. According to Philippians 4:11-12, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
When I was a Wellness Director and leading a group of fitness instructors (group exercise and personal training instructors) the one topic I preached to my staff was the importance of building positive relationships with members - about making a difference in someone's life - because that's eternal! Our bodies are temporal - we are going to die at some point in time. So when we pass from this life to the next, what will people remember about us? "Oh, she had a rock hard body." "He looked so good lifting weights." "She could really shake her booty." NO! I want to be remembered about how I made people feel when they were around me. Did they feel loved and accepted? Did they feel better or worse after being with me? That said I'm not saying we shouldn't take care of our body (we are commanded to care for our bodies because it is the temple of God - I Corinthian 6:19-20) but that should not be our overall focus in life. It should be a result of "whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17). If we can keep that scripture in the forefront of our minds, we can take comfort in knowing that God will direct our lives, provide for all our needs and bless others.
My goal in this second act of life is to bridge the gap between prevention and treatment. To teach people how they can take control of their lives but making healthy choices. However, if they need treatment, I want to empower them to get well and know that they can live a healthy life. If they can't get well, then I want to make them feel loved and cared for in a way that brings them peace and comfort.
So as I begin nursing school, my prayer is that I will put my complete trust in God, do my schoolwork as to the Lord being confident that He who began a good work in me will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil 1:6).
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