It Is Well...

Since my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer when I was 13, I have claimed the words of the hymn "It Is Well" as my very own. My prayer is that no matter what life brings at me, no matter how bad it sucks, or how great it is, I will be able to say "Father, your will is well with my soul." You see, I believe in a sovereign God that has big plans for all of His children. I know I am His child, and I would like to think he has big plans for me, even though I have no idea what those might be. Over the last few weeks, I have been seeing a patient that brings this hymn to mind every time I work with her. Here is her story...

Jean* is an elderly woman who has been living alone for many years since her husband died. Decades ago she had both legs amputated, yet she has continued to live alone. The only help she requests of her family is that they will do her grocery shopping. They are willing to do far more for her, but she won't allow them to. She says, "I believe it's important that I take care of myself as long as I can. What I don't think I can do, Jesus will help me accomplish."

She is in therapy now so she can get stronger after a short illness and return home alone. When I went in to do her evaluation, she was very willing to work hard. Before we attempted to sit up on the side of the bed, she uttered the prayer, "Jesus, help me to sit on the side of the bed today. I do this with Your strength. Amen." Of course, I'm choking back tears at this point, and I've only been in the room 15 minutes! Later, when I was helping her transfer to her wheelchair, she uttered another prayer, "Jesus, give me the strength to get in my wheelchair safely today. I can do it with your help." Still, I have tears in my eyes. She rarely will allow me to help her, saying, "I may do things slowly, but with God's help, I will be able to do them on my own no matter how weak I am."

I was in her room with another member of our medical staff, and that person was discussing her medical history and how amazing she was to still be living on her own. Her reply was, "God will provide for me until the day He calls me home. He always has. There's nothing unbelievable about that. I trust Him to provide, no matter what happens. I know I'll be leaving her soon to go home again." Of course, tears sprang to my eyes once again. I hope and pray that when life throws me something hard, I will be able to handle it with as much grace and rock solid faith as she does. Every time I work with her, I almost can hear the song, "It Is Well" playing in the background. I thank God for sending patients like her my way every now and then. Through their attitudes, they lift me up and encourage me in whatever I'm going through at the moment (even though it seriously pales in comparison to what they're facing). Patients like her help me to put all the "little things" back in their proper perspective.

*Her name and circumstances have been modified to protect the patient in accordance with HIPAA.