Do you ever question if what you are doing or where you are serves a purpose? There have been countless times in my life I have questioned my significance, worth and purpose in this life that God has given us.
During my first year as a nurse, there were numerous days I questioned if anything I was doing served any purpose. I was overwhelmed, overworked and was not confident in my skills to feel I could be any real service to my patients. Those first months, I was yelled at by patients, doctors and other nurses on more than one occasion.
The weekend I lost my first patient was the first time I realized that my career as a nurse could serve a purpose in the lives of others. I worked in an oncology department, and many of my patients did not win their battle against their cancer. I had the opportunity to get to know the patient and their sweet family over the span of a few shifts. In the midst of performing my nursing duties, I was privy to some of the last tender moments the family shared together. I heard prayers and sweet songs song as they both grieved and desired to see their loved one end his suffering. With the assistance of a senior nurse, we guided the family through the last moments shedding tears of our own all the while ensuring that he would be as comfortable as possible.
As I progressed in my career as a nurse, I found my rhythm and questioned the purpose my career could serve less and less. More significantly my career would impact my personal life in ways I did not anticipate and would have never imagined could be part of my “purpose” in this life.
About four years ago, my grandmother lost her battle with lymphoma. In the days preceding her death, she was in hospice care at her home. I was able to be home with my dad, grandfather and other family members as we spent our last tender moments with her on this earth.
When my grandmother took her last breath, my grandfather was out in the yard and could not be found. When he was brought into the room, no one was sure what to say to him. This man who was my senior by decades would not believe she was gone until I confirmed it. These are the moments in life that cannot be practiced for or prepared for, and without my seven years as an oncology nurse, I am not sure I could have helped him through those moments.
Sometimes we have tangible moments that we can pinpoint purpose in our life, but others may be yet to be revealed. If you have not discovered your purpose, begin by doing something small for someone around you today and create purpose.
Writer Bio: Summer Bolte
I spend most of my time and days with my three kids, husband and dog. My kids frequently play near me as I garden, cook, DIY and volunteer. My most unusual paying job has to be feeding fruit flies in a research lab, and my most fulfilling job was being an oncology nurse for seven years.
