Sunday, November 11, 2007

Give thanks with a joyful heart


As Thanksgiving is fast approaching what better time to share with others what we are thankful for.As others have already done I too want to add my thoughts and thanks.
Please note these are in no particular order.

I am thankful for a God who loves me no matter what I do.He loves me when I fail him,he loves me when I may fail to say a prayer of thanks for a blessing.He is ALWAYS at my side.I am also thankful knowing if I am called home tomorrow I will be with my heavenly father in heaven.

I am thankful for the gift of laughter.What better thing is there then to be able to laugh.I am known to be one to tease and love to have fun.I am thankful that I can enjoy life to the fullest.

I am thankful for the friendship I have formed because I have become a blogger.Thanks to Becky I am addicted to it.But I have made an amazing group of friends because of it.

I am thankful for family and friends who love me and pray for me and to be able to do the same for them.It is great to be able to ask a friend to pray for you.Or to be able to offer prayer for others.

I am thankful for my home, food and finances to pay for all of it.

Now the one I plan on sharing at Church tonight,(or may have shared depending on when you read this).
It is amazing how God works.I was at a job I was happy with,(other then working every other weekend).I enjoyed the work in the nursing home and enjoyed the interesting times it brought into my life.Not a day went by that there was some form of entertainment at work.
One day I got a phone call about a job at the Dialysis Center and was told to apply for it.Now mind you I was not looking for a change.Soon I was offered the job and was again entering a new chapter in my life.To say I was scared was an understatement.What if I did not like it,what if I could not do it. I had so many what ifs. The friend who told me about the job also said to me,
how clear can it be,the boss is the one who wanted you to apply.
I started the job with a very open mind,but also knowing if it did not work out I could always return to the nursing home.I was soon enjoying my 3 day a week no weekend job.But I was still just doing some minor things on my own but was feeling good about it.Before I knew it I was placing needles in the arms on my own and getting patients on and off machines by myself.I was doing so well until one day my entire world crashed in front of me.I made a huge mistake with a patient and he had major effects from it.His blood pressure dropped and he became unresponsive and had to be given oxygen.I was devastated and was extremely close to walking out on the spot and never returning.
I went into the break room and broke down.Tears filled my eyes as I thought I may have nearly killed this man.MY boss Nikki came into the break room and talked to me.As kind and considerate as a person could be she calmly sat and talked to me about what happened and how we can keep it from happening again.Never once did she raise her voice or get upset with me.When I told her I felt it would be best if I quit the job right now she said NO, I will not allow it.Take your time get yourself pulled together and we will talk about this more later.What an amazing women, she was so professional I was in shock.
The following week the man whom I made the mistake with asked me what had happened Friday stating he did not remember much of that day.I sat and told him what I had done and how sorry i was.He looked at me in the most kind and compassionate way and asked,did you learn from this mistake?I answered yes I did and I feel terrible.He said as long as you learned from it it is OK I forgive you.Even as I write this I still tear up, what an amazing man.He showed such love and kindness I will never forget.To this day I have such respect for this fine example of a christian man.
I only hope if I ever have something happen to me I can be as forgiving as he was.
So there you have it what I am thankful for and how God has worked in my life.

Update.....I did it without breaking down and only getting a little chocked up.PTL.It was a great night filled with reports of how God has touched many lifes throughout the year.

6 comments:

Middle-Aged Moi said...

That post was SO wonderful, Mr. Brian! The forgiveness shown you was so kind. I can NOT imagine doing your job. How stressful it would be. And yet, your boss, and the man, were right. It was a mistake. And we are all human. I am so thankful that it worked out so well. It's amazing what mercy can do, isn't it?

k1 said...

If you made it through the recitation of that story in front of the congregation without crying, you are a far better 'man' than I am.

Good job

redmaryjanes said...

That is beautiful Brian. Sometimes God brings amazing people into our lives to teach us. I think that is why you crossed paths with this man in your story. He is a blessing, just as you are.

Noemi said...

Ok I am in tears right now! What the man told you about the mistake is something that I tell my boys all the time... You are such an amazing person. Glad I stumbled upon your blog....

Steffie B. said...

Beautiful.....tears in my eyes! ;) You are so wonderful!

Stop by Miss Things Blog...she did an update! I'd say EXTRA teasing is in order! lol

cougchick said...

I am thankful for you Mr. Brian!

As for your HD experience, been there, done that. It feels horrible but we are human and make mistakes. We can only learn from them and become better which is what you did. Guaranteed you will not make that same mistake again. I'm guessing you initiated dialysis by dumping the prime into the bucket and forgot to hook up the venous line and the patient nearly bled out. That has happened to many new techs. I hope you get back on that horse and get comfortable because it won't happen a second time, I'm sure. The nurse and patient were right to show you mercy. I praise you Mr. Brian for your honesty.