A Still, Small Voice

It was a very busy morning at work; I needed to hang an intravenous antibiotic for one of my patients, the one in “contact isolation.” This meant I would have to wear a special protective gown and mask. As I was about to hang the medication on its hook, a still, small Voice asked, Are you sure this is the correct patient?

 I continued with what I was doing. Again I heard: Are you sure this is the right patient?

I muttered to myself, “Yes, I’m sure. I’m not taking this hot gown off to put it back on.” I didn’t realize I’d spoken aloud until the patient asked me if I was OK. I assured her I was.

Then, for the third time, I heard the question: Are you sure this is the right patient?

 This time I said, “OK, Holy Spirit, You win.” I took off the gown and exited the patient’s room. Once outside, I obtained the patient’s chart and checked the medication. I thought my heart would stop beating as my knees began to shake. I checked with a colleague. You see, I had two patients with the same last name. I had been trying to hang the antibiotic for the wrong one!

Humbled, I worshiped my God right there in the middle of the nurses’ station, thanking Him for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and blessing after I was obedient to His voice.

 I recently read this reminder in the book Steps to Christ: “Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, ‘Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.’ ”*

 I believe that had I not given all my plans to God during my daily morning devotional time—and been willing for the Holy Spirit to use me—I would not have recognized the Holy Spirit’s prompting. As we submit ourselves to Jesus, He promises to direct our paths. May we always lean on His wonderful promises!

 Jannett Maurine Myrie