I know that God called me to nursing from the age of 3.
I saw how well cared for my mum was after heart surgery.
I thought the nurses showed such kindness, dedication, patience and humour amongst many other qualities as the supported my mum in her journey to recovery and healing.
I saw as them being role models as I followed my vocation from her death when I was a student nurse through 24 years of nursing until premature retirement at the age of 47 years of age due to illness. This has been such a process and time of transition. But Jesus walks the journey with me - in the dark times He has been the light.
I have a call on my life to support people to feel better, included, welcome and to empower learning be it about their health or about Jesus and things of faith. 24 years of nursing was an utter privilege. The call to develop qualities of kindness, dedication, patience and humour I see, on reflection, are qualities of Jesus through the fruits of the Holy Spirit. I became a christian 2 years after passing my nursing exams. I only ever considered nursing as a vocation but as I reflect on the Veith's definition, I see that my husband, children have been a vocation of which church membership ministry, mission and service is woven through like a golden thread for Jesus.
Hi Tracey, thank you for sharing your thoughts and reflections. What a special career you had as a nurse. I'm glad you recognise that your family is also a part of your vocation and ministry. I am the only Christian in my immediate family, and I too , think of them in this way. I'm fortunate that I can speak openly about my faith at home and share God's love with them, even if they have no faith of their own. I like to think that I am helping to 'keep the door open...'