Encouragement
A Joyful Servant
I was a new nurse when I first met Annie, an energetic, cheerful,and ungrudging nurse whose contagious smile brightened up the dark hall of a very busy Medical/Surgical unit. We were in the middle of a change of shift report when a disheveled man was wheeled to the only available room we had. He stunk so bad that I noticed the other nurses slowly excused themselves to go to their locker room. I was frozen in my seat, as I noticed his bare feet filled with mud, covering his overgrown toe nails.
I heard my charge nurse’s booming voice, “I need to assign Mr. Syd to one of you. Any volunteer?”
I must have said a quick prayer, “ Lord, please…not me!”
There was silence. Few minutes of deafening silence.
Then I heard a familiar voice, “I will!” God must have heard my prayer, because He sent Annie, the angel to save us - a bunch of coward rescue team.
I murmured to myself, “ Oh Annie! I owe you my paycheck.”
Mr. Syd ( not his real name) was a homeless man in his late 40’s, but he looked much older for his age. I heard him answering Annie’s routine admitting questions with four letter words in every sentence as if for him they were as normal as his breathing. His foul languages were loud enough for all of us to hear, almost every other word started with a letter F and S. I felt sorry for Annie. Or should I?
I was a silent and guilty spectator as I passed by his room so I asked Annie, “Do you need some help?” She shook her head as she soaked his dirty feet in a basin of soapy water, then gave him an instant shampoo, a sponge bath and a shave. After wearing a fresh gown, he looked like a different person. I saw him flashed his crooked, yellow stained teeth as he smiled at Annie . I heard him mumbled, “Thank you.”
Annie finally got out of his room humming a familiar tune , “Joyful, joyful we adore Thee…” I witnessed a joyful servant, an angel of mercy who willingly offered her service.
A Bible verse came to mind, “Serve the Lord with gladness” ( Psalms 100:2 ).
Annie didn’t quote a Bible verse to that patient, but her compassion, gentleness and a willingness to serve were good enough testimony for him. She’s the “living Bible” for him and for me.
This incident happened many years ago, but I still have “flashbacks” everytime I encountered the same situation. I honestly admit that I didn’t particularly like washing someone’s feet. I didn’t even want to be a nurse. But that humbling incident reminded me of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet to exemplify a servant attitude of humility . I valued nursing after that,as my outlook changed. It takes a lot of patience, humility and a caring heart to be a nurse. It takes an “angel of mercy” like Annie to be one. God knows it’s not that easy. That’s why He came as a humble servant to set an example.
Lord Jesus, thank You for reminding us through Your example that we are here to serve and not to be served. Forgive us for those times when we’re consumed with self-centeredness and apathetic attitude that rob us of the joy of serving. Please remind us that we can serve You wherever we are, whenever there’s opportunity, as long as we have a willing heart. In Your Most Precious Name. Amen.
In His Service,
Gloria Tiquia
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This article touched my heart. I couldn't see the technical flaws in the article because it has been covered with the powerful message.
Thank You; we all need to be reminded of Jesus Loving Servant's heart;how He came as a Servant and humbled Himself even unto death. I know I need to be reminded of how He calls us to Lovingly serve our Sisters and Brothers and the lost.
In Jesus Love, Your Sister Dee:)
"Numbers 6:24,25,26"