5/4 Our Father in Heaven, we thank you again for the opportunity and happenings of life in a nation of freedom. Encourage and Help us to listen to those with whom we differ – give us patience and understanding; remind us and challenge us to see beyond ourselves and give encouragement to others. Amen
The janitor and the nurse all have “scout,” “directional assistant,” “helper,” and “wayfinder” on their job description duties, albeit unspoken duties, but duties nonetheless. From the minute an anxious visitor arrives on a hospital campus, there is an awareness that one is on foreign turf. The department names are long and difficult to pronounce. The myriad parking signs remind you of settling your vehicle in the airport parking lot.
But today’s trip is less joyful. No vacation week awaits. No tiny umbrella in a refreshing drink.
No, today, you visit a friend in the hospital…if you can find the way, that is.
Dad’s prayer today was a clear reminder of ALL the people who helped me find my way through the hospital maze. The janitor, the LPN, the RN, the desk clerk (she provided the map with my “way” marked in red and delivered with a paragraph of insructions).
They all gave encouragement as we trod the red marker path.
“Do you need help? Are you lost?”
Now, keep in mind, I worked in the sign industry doing “wayfinding” at decision points in facilities like this…I am not a novice. But the anxiety of being in a hospital triggers hospital memories and nightmares…regardless who you are coming to visit, but then that enters in also.
“Gee, they were fine two days ago…” etc.
I am not in charge of much in the way of others.
I just have to remember where to park and what room number my friend, father, mother, brother, etc. is in today, then be patient as I visit the patient.
And on the way out, to be encouraging to others who are lost.
By the way, the best advice came from the janitor, “follow the sparkly floors.”
K.I.S.S. and don’t overthink things or signs.