Pay Attention to Those God Nudges

It’s not that I don’t have enough on my plate daily to keep me busy, but when a God nudge comes along; I know I better act on it. Yesterday I started my one half-day a week volunteering at the Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital here in Frisco. I watched this hospital being built and every time I drove by it, I sensed a little nudge to be there to love on those precious children. It’s quite the vetting process to go through to be a volunteer in a health facility, as well as the immunizations and training required. My fellow volunteer, Paz, and I were assigned to the surgery area where we were on hand to serve the families while their young ones were in surgery. We also helped sort medical supplies in the surgical area – thus our trendy surgical scrubs!

What blessed me the most about the morning was being teamed up with Paz, a bilingual teacher who gives time to volunteering at the hospital. Right away, our faith connected us as we talked about God’s goodness. I witnessed how God orchestrates sweet divine appointments as my sweet bilingual friend was able to interpret the surgeon for this young child’s Latino grandmother. I could sense a “divine” connection between the two ladies.

While there, I was reminded of my young self at 13-years-old being a Candy Striper volunteer for Baylor Hospital in downtown Dallas. The unique job title represented the candy cane look of the red and white-striped pinafores we wore. We assisted the nurses by serving the patients in basic ways (i.e., taking them flowers and mail, refilling their water jugs, carrying specimens to the lab, etc.).

Maybe it was because I had a very sick daddy and would have to hang out at the hospital with my mom I acquired the love of serving at the hospital. The notion of wanting to be a nurse started way back then. It didn’t happen in the professional sense, but I sure “nursed” some precious loved ones, especially my mom, my sister, dear friends, and my own children. I was put into the throes of nursing as I cared for my husband in our make-shift “home” hospital, giving him an infusion three times a day. I’ll admit my hesitancy to take on such a role that I only witnessed Registered Nurses performing in the hospital. It did seem overwhelming at first with so many sterilizing techniques, flushing the lines, clamping and not clamping, and calculating the drip timing, but like a good student who practices and prepares, I got it down pretty good:6 am – 2 pm – 10 pm. I was “nursing”!

I shared my “nursing” and “volunteering” story to you today to show you how God brings back some of the most incidental moments of our lives for cultivating heart desires and eventual opportunities to give back the blessings of what we’ve received. It’s a matter of staying on point and being present for God’s sweet nudges that lead to our cups being full and overflowing. A friend of mine kept feeling the nudges to assist in hospice care. Today she joyfully gives of herself in such soothing and heartfelt ways to patients and their loved ones. I have another dear friend who was a teacher for many years. Today she teaches religious education at church. Then there’s my friend who played baseball in college and today he uses his abilities to coach boys’ baseball.

Is there somewhere that you could give a few hours out of your week to help others be the best they can be because you care? Maybe God has given you talents and a desire to be a big brother or big sister, a mentor, or a caregiver just because you want to pay back the blessings you were given. Start by being sensitive to God’s little nudges. I promise you – when you step up to bless others…..you’ll be the recipient of the most blessings.

Proverbs 11:25 “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”