Lately I've been noticing how often people say to me, "I would never..." and then finish with something they've heard I do. Now, honestly I think this is a little rude, but that is not the purpose of this blog! The purpose of this blog is to say that, I've started to realize, that the things they usually mention are some of my favorite things.
My favorite example, near the end of nursing school I was given the opportunity to live in Eastern KY at a United Methodist mission for 6 weeks. Everything was paid for. I got to play in the mountains. I got school credit for spiritual work. I got to know a whole new community in a way I may never be able to do again. How often in your life can you pick up and move to a new and strange place for 6 weeks?? And, best of all, I had NO CELL PHONE SERVICE! (With the stress of graduation and being class president, this was an amazing gift.) To me, this was a no brainer. However, I was told by classmates, "I would NEVER do that." And, I'm fairly certain some people even used the word crazy. Well, my trip turned out to be a great decision and one of the best experiences of my life. I got to know Christ in a new way, got to know nursing in a new way, and got to know myself in a new way.
So, looking ahead to the most recent "crazy" decision I've made, the decision to go back to school and pursue a research career and a Ph.D. in nursing, I feel more confident in my risk taking. When other new graduates tell me they would NEVER go back to school so soon, I laugh. That might work for you, but, I've never regretted making choices others would NEVER make!
A long time ago, when I was just a kid, I realized I was kind of different. I felt extremely challenged by my faith and really felt God's hand on my life. This is not nessicarily a good thing when you are 16. One frustrating adolescent day, I prayed and asked God, "Why can't I just be normal? I just want to be a normal Christian who goes to church and doesn't have to worry about it too much otherwise." Never have I said anything to God that I have been more glad He ignored. I am so glad He has taught me to do things some people NEVER would and am so glad He taught me to be weird for Him. I hope I continue to do things that many people never would, and I pray it continues to be as fun as its been so far!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Cowen-isms
So, last night was a celebration for my favorite doctor on the planets 75th birthday. We were working together, and out of nowhere, another nurse said, "Dr. Cowen, after 75 years of life and 50 years of marriage, do you have any advice for Christine here?" Now, background information you should know about is that, when you ask a question, Dr. Cowen never gives a quick answer. We have kind of lovingly learned to call these answers, Cowen-isms.
Well, last night I got more than I bargained for. I should also let you know that I had worked late at work Monday night, so I was on about three hours of sleep. Those who don't know me well, I don't function without sleep. I was pretty emotional anyway, but after about an hour of Dr. Cowen describing his life with his wife and his career in medicine I was honestly on the verge of tears.
So, here are a few things I learned. I hope you will find them as moving as I did. Dr. Cowen didn't make plans. He is one of the smartest, most successful men I have had the priviledge of working with, but based on his description of his life, he did not make plans. When Dr. Cowen met his wife, he said he was "immune to girls." He had been burnt by a girl earlier and was over it. (There's hope for me yet!) He was in medical training and still had to finish and do a residency and take boards, and of course, he couldn't think of a woman until he had finished those things! But, he shared, he fell head over heels for this good-looking nurse who always new exactly what he would need, even when he didn't. (Now you see why I love Dr. C?) It is now 50
four children, and eleven grandchildren later. And I doubt if Dr. Cowen regrets deviating from his plan.
Next, from this converstation, I learned the value of a life lived with dignity. I think this is a word we have lost sight of in our generation. Dr. Cowen was by all estimations a busy man. He was a practicing physician, a missionary to Africa, and eventually taught medical students. In addition to sitting on lots of boards, being involved in church, and raising four children. Still, he said his family had dinner together every night, at the table, not in front of the TV. And, every morning, he has still, at least two cups of coffee with his wife. My mother has often spoken to me of my parents philosphy when they got married and started to raise us. They lived life making one small good decision at a time. I think Dr. Cowen's life is the result of that. One small good decision at a time.
Ok, this post is already really long, so I'm gonna end with one last thing I've learned from Dr. Cowen. This was not from his conversation, but from a year of quiet observation. Dr. Cowen is a very old fashioned man, with old fashioned values.He is serious about his relationship with Christ and his faith. But, contrary to the way the modern world often views old fashioned values, he loves people with a radical love. Never have I seen him judge anyone. He will treat patients with STD's and addictions. He teaches medical students who live a modern lifestyle and make modern choices. He welcomes young nurses like me. All of us are given the same respect and love. This radical love sometimes comes is hard advice. But, it is love none-the-less. This week I had the pleasure of seeing two long term patients who have been cigarette free for 3 monthes! Thanks Dr. Cowen for your tough love.
So, what do I take from all these rambling? I'm going to make one good choice at a time. I'm going to love people with a radical love. And, despite pretty much all of my hard-wiring, I am going to try not to make plans.
**If any of you want to get the pleasure of meeting Dr. C yourselves, let me know when you are free on a Tuesday or Thursday!
Well, last night I got more than I bargained for. I should also let you know that I had worked late at work Monday night, so I was on about three hours of sleep. Those who don't know me well, I don't function without sleep. I was pretty emotional anyway, but after about an hour of Dr. Cowen describing his life with his wife and his career in medicine I was honestly on the verge of tears.
So, here are a few things I learned. I hope you will find them as moving as I did. Dr. Cowen didn't make plans. He is one of the smartest, most successful men I have had the priviledge of working with, but based on his description of his life, he did not make plans. When Dr. Cowen met his wife, he said he was "immune to girls." He had been burnt by a girl earlier and was over it. (There's hope for me yet!) He was in medical training and still had to finish and do a residency and take boards, and of course, he couldn't think of a woman until he had finished those things! But, he shared, he fell head over heels for this good-looking nurse who always new exactly what he would need, even when he didn't. (Now you see why I love Dr. C?) It is now 50
four children, and eleven grandchildren later. And I doubt if Dr. Cowen regrets deviating from his plan.
Next, from this converstation, I learned the value of a life lived with dignity. I think this is a word we have lost sight of in our generation. Dr. Cowen was by all estimations a busy man. He was a practicing physician, a missionary to Africa, and eventually taught medical students. In addition to sitting on lots of boards, being involved in church, and raising four children. Still, he said his family had dinner together every night, at the table, not in front of the TV. And, every morning, he has still, at least two cups of coffee with his wife. My mother has often spoken to me of my parents philosphy when they got married and started to raise us. They lived life making one small good decision at a time. I think Dr. Cowen's life is the result of that. One small good decision at a time.
Ok, this post is already really long, so I'm gonna end with one last thing I've learned from Dr. Cowen. This was not from his conversation, but from a year of quiet observation. Dr. Cowen is a very old fashioned man, with old fashioned values.He is serious about his relationship with Christ and his faith. But, contrary to the way the modern world often views old fashioned values, he loves people with a radical love. Never have I seen him judge anyone. He will treat patients with STD's and addictions. He teaches medical students who live a modern lifestyle and make modern choices. He welcomes young nurses like me. All of us are given the same respect and love. This radical love sometimes comes is hard advice. But, it is love none-the-less. This week I had the pleasure of seeing two long term patients who have been cigarette free for 3 monthes! Thanks Dr. Cowen for your tough love.
So, what do I take from all these rambling? I'm going to make one good choice at a time. I'm going to love people with a radical love. And, despite pretty much all of my hard-wiring, I am going to try not to make plans.
**If any of you want to get the pleasure of meeting Dr. C yourselves, let me know when you are free on a Tuesday or Thursday!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
“ You can have all this world. But give me Jesus.” - Fernando Ortega
This year has been a crazy year for me. I have seen countless childhood dreams come true. Like the writer of Ecclesiastes, I sought after pleasures of all kinds and tried to truly enjoy life. I was given honors, including being chosen to speak at UK’s graduation in front of a crowd of thousands. I had dates with some amazing men. I made tons of friends with whom I enjoyed a range of awesome activities. I did karaoke. I danced. I saw Washington DC. I bought my first home and made my first real paycheck. I became financially independent from my parents and made money of my own. I have sought after vanity with make-up, tanning, hair coloring, and working out. In all of these worldly pursuits, I have found success, and then like the writer of Ecclesiastes again, I have found it all meaningless. (Lest my amazing friends get me wrong, I must clarify my relationships with you are not meaningless. It is just the pursuit of worldly success, which I have found meaningless. I have tended to value popularity over relationship.)
All these things, the things I have spent years of adolescence dreaming of, were completely unsatisfying. God gave me everything I thought I wanted, to show me that all I ever wanted or needed was Him. When He promises you the desires of your heart, don’t be surprised if it is your desires that change, not what He gives.
So, today, I have learned even more what it means to be surrendered. Thank you God, for taking me back, though I never deserve it. Thank you for friends who always inspire me to be better than I am. Thank you for the man you have for me one day and please bless all the men who were not meant to be with me and the women they will find. Thank you for financial peace and please use it for Your purposes only. Please continue to break my heart for what breaks yours.
Finally, today I say, with Fernando Ortega, “You can have all this world. But, give me Jesus.”
This year has been a crazy year for me. I have seen countless childhood dreams come true. Like the writer of Ecclesiastes, I sought after pleasures of all kinds and tried to truly enjoy life. I was given honors, including being chosen to speak at UK’s graduation in front of a crowd of thousands. I had dates with some amazing men. I made tons of friends with whom I enjoyed a range of awesome activities. I did karaoke. I danced. I saw Washington DC. I bought my first home and made my first real paycheck. I became financially independent from my parents and made money of my own. I have sought after vanity with make-up, tanning, hair coloring, and working out. In all of these worldly pursuits, I have found success, and then like the writer of Ecclesiastes again, I have found it all meaningless. (Lest my amazing friends get me wrong, I must clarify my relationships with you are not meaningless. It is just the pursuit of worldly success, which I have found meaningless. I have tended to value popularity over relationship.)
All these things, the things I have spent years of adolescence dreaming of, were completely unsatisfying. God gave me everything I thought I wanted, to show me that all I ever wanted or needed was Him. When He promises you the desires of your heart, don’t be surprised if it is your desires that change, not what He gives.
So, today, I have learned even more what it means to be surrendered. Thank you God, for taking me back, though I never deserve it. Thank you for friends who always inspire me to be better than I am. Thank you for the man you have for me one day and please bless all the men who were not meant to be with me and the women they will find. Thank you for financial peace and please use it for Your purposes only. Please continue to break my heart for what breaks yours.
Finally, today I say, with Fernando Ortega, “You can have all this world. But, give me Jesus.”
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