Breaking Through the Clouds: Returning to Work

  11:50pm

                                       12:15am

        12:23am                                                                            12:36am

                                                                 12:40am

                      1:00am

When am I going to fall asleep?  I crawled into bed about 11pm, but time seems to slide by and I'm still awake.

1:16am

                                         1:32am

I’m super excited about returning to work.  I don’t want to be late for my first day back… but at the same time, I want a good night’s rest!

Father God, I’m super super hyped about this opportunity to return to work.  Sure in the back of my head, there’s this tiny doubt… can I make it through the day?  But Father, I see you make so many things possible, time after time… that I know tomorrow (or later today) will be great!  I may get tired, but I also know that you will provide.  Plus, I’ve got these awesome friends at work that I can lean on if anything gets out of hand.  I'm not alone. 

God, I believe that you are in full control of my life, my body, my capabilities.  So into your all-powerful hands, I give my work, my time, my attitude.  Father, whatever you set before me at work, help me to serve to the best of my abilities.  Help me to pick up the computer documentation quickly.  Guide me so there are no mistakes in my choice of treatments.  Help me find stuff fairly quickly and efficiently.  Make my brain alert and flexible to handle whatever comes my way.  Brush the cobwebs off my hands so that my unna boots, wound debridment, dressing applications are all appropriate.  Provide situations where I can help my co-workers and I can be helped, that we can enjoy work as a team.  Give me a “can-do” attitude, a joyful smile, energy to make it through the full work day and peace in situations out of my control.

In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

********

The sun is rising.  Blush-pink clouds are surrounded by a light blue sky.  This morning is chilly.  The wind bites my cheeks with a cold snap.  Shivering, I pull my thin jacket tighter around my body.  Sharp light from the sun pierces my gaze as rays of light stream through graying clouds.  The sharp scent of pine wafts through the air as my shoes crunch fallen pine needles.  On the ground, clumps of dirt are scattered across the concrete from the fenced construction area. 

This is my workplace.  This is my other home away from home.  I'm finally back and I'm early.  *smirk*  So much for worrying about missing my first day of work; not happening.

Thank you, Father God, for stabilizing my body today.  Thank you for giving me the energy to complete work and drive home alert.  Thank you for providing a quick response from the IT Help Desk so I can reset my password for access into the computer system.  Thank you for allowing me to help with an evaluation and the detailed paperwork associated with it prior to seeing my own eval for the day.  Thank you for the opportunity to dive in and experience a full range of wound services including the change to apply an unna boot, 4-layer wrap, wound VAC... to perform sharp debridement and for jogging my brain so that I can play with a combination of wound dressings.  Father, thank you for not letting my mind be fuzzy today, for helping me assign patients onto therapist schedules, being able to complete treatment documentations, manage my time/resources, field phone calls… so many big and little things.  Thank you, Father God, for the pacing of today's treatments so that I did not feel overwhelmed.

Father, I thank you for providing for more than I know! 

Working today felt so right, like a breath of fresh air after being trapped for way too long.  Being able to work is such a huge blessing!  Thank you for renewing my hope and attitude towards the future, for giving me strength to keep moving forward, for so much loving support.  Lord God, you give me everything I need and more.  Thank you for this life, for my friends, for giving me the ability to continue performing as a physical therapist.

In Jesus’ name I raise my hands in praise, amen.