I almost made it through Nurses week with a la-dee-da attitude until Friday when our ministry team came through surgical services.
They brought with them a rolling cart with a bowl and a pitcher of water.
They were offering to do a Blessing of the Hands.
Earlier in the week, when busy with a patient, I’d seen the same three chaplains out of the corner of my eye, coming by our area. Happy that they were back, and that I had a few minutes between cases, I headed for the back hallway (a cross path between OR and Pre-op) where they stood.
A small group gathered around the mobile set-up. Blessings went quick. Then it was my turn.
“Susan, would you like a blessing?”
“Yes.” I extended my hands over the bowl. I was 90% in the moment. 10% of me was calculating the remaining work to be done by 2:30
The chaplain’s assistance picked up the pitcher of water, and the chaplain began the blessing.
“Holy God, bless these hands to be an instrument of healing. Bless…”
I could feel a lump in my throat and fought the tears behind my eyes. It became more difficult when the chaplain was done and followed with, “Is there anything else you want to pray about right now?”
The list is long Chaplain; way too long for my five minute break.
“No, I’m good. Thanks!”
Leave a Reply