Finding support through valleys of death
At the beginning of this pandemic, I joined people throughout America every night at 8 p.m. to pray for our nurses, doctors and those who were suffering from COVID-19. I set my alarm so not to miss the time.
I would go out on the front porch in the dark of night. In the stillness, I felt not only connected to God but to the many others who were praying. I'm sad to say that I've not always been faithful to that habit this fall. But our nurses, especially, are never far from my prayers.
One of the most inspiring Christian women I've ever known is a hospice nurse, Lisa Boone. Lisa and her family have faced so many trials yet she always has a smile, a kind spirit and a deep faith that speaks love to all who know her. I asked Lisa to write about her challenging job during this pandemic.
Lisa writes:
The year 2020 has proven to be one of the most difficult times to be in healthcare. Being a hospice nurse for the last several years has been such a privilege to serve God's people in such profoundly difficult circumstances. To be in someone's home during end of life is a sacred privilege helping families to navigate the unpredictable chaotic waters of death and dying as I am given access to the most intimate corners of fearful, grieving, and broken hearts.
We co-journey through these valleys of death providing knowledge, guidance, comfort and support. These families are incredibly brave, strong and loving and do hard things. It can get very messy. It has always reminded me of the laboring in childbirth. It is painful and difficult to birth one into heaven. Sometimes it is a long vigil as we wait for what we all know is going to happen. Every single death is so different. Being present at the bedside to each moment is being able to be present to the presence of God in each person as I witness through a thin veil this great Love that guides and directs each moment.
COVID-19 has escalated the challenges of providing exceptional health care. It has hurt so many people. Patients with COVID-19 are isolated from their families, the very ones who provide the emotional, loving support when it is needed the most. How is it even possible to face such devastating illnesses alone?
One of the most challenging issues for me is providing emotional and spiritual support with the use of all the PPE required in the home to safely care for our patients. These obstacles have changed the
way I deliver healthcare to our end of life patients and their families. Going into a home with a COVID-19 patient requires great skill as the lack of a controlled environment creates new challenges that are unpredictable. But the benefits outweigh the risks. The family is no longer restricted to visit.
They are once again at the bedside providing the muchneeded care and love as they help journey their loved one home.
Providing nursing care in the home looks very different in this season of COVID-19. It is harder, more stressful and less personal. Face shields, masks and gloves take away the ease of communicating and providing care with the intimacy, sensitivity and compassion our patients deserve.
Every single person in this world has had their very life changed because of COVID-19 bringing much chaos, fear, and grief.
Many years ago, when I went through a very difficult time in my own family, one of the gifts I received was a deep permanent knowing of a Greater Presence with me and over all the chaos. God taught me to stay in the present moment trusting Him for the next right step. He gave me a knowing that He is our deliverer and He will bring us through this unimaginable time, a knowing that He is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So, we need not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea (Psalm 46:1-2) and COVID-19 turns our worlds upside down.
During these unprecedented times, I find myself so thankful. Thankful for God with me, thankful God is over all, thankful God has a plan and a purpose for all things, thankful for the gifts He gives me through His creation, thankful He helps me each step I take, thankful for the ability to find good in the hard which helps me to find God in the midst.
And thankful God is the ultimate midwife guiding and directing us through this laboring and messiness as He ushers in something new. He makes ALL THINGS NEW. And as John Wesley said “The best of all is, God is with us!”