Heart Choices: September 2015 -->

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The View Has It Wrong About Nurses


Last week I watched a video from the Miss America pageant. One of the contestants performed a monologue for her talent competition. She was dressed in scrubs with a stethoscope wrapped around her neck. I immediately recognized her as a nurse as she began to share. It was a very touching monologue as she works with Alzheimer's patients. Here is the video:



I posted the video on my Facebook page. After all, I'm a nurse.  I worked for 25 years as a cardiovascular nurse specialist. I know what it's like and I remember so many patients who impacted me greatly. I could share many stories of patients who reminded me of why I became a nurse. I could identify with what this nurse was saying.

But then ...the comments made by two of the hosts for The View have spread across social media. They ridiculed her 'talent' and questioned why a nurse would be wearing a stethoscope.



My niece Katie and I have been to The View in NYC. I got tickets so we could sit in the audience. But that was years ago when the talk show was hosted by people like Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Meredith Vieira and Barbara Walters. It's not the same any more.



I just want to say that nurses do wear stethoscopes! It's an important part of our job. 


Two nurses

Nurses rock!

I enjoyed Miss Colorado's monologue. What about you? What's your opinion?

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

Giveaway: Wicked Women of the Bible


Ann Spangler's latest book Wicked Women of the Bible will be released on Tuesday, September 22, 2015. I was very excited to be accepted as a member of Ann's book launch team. I received an advance copy of the book to read. I quickly devoured it and took notes. Ann is such an amazing writer. She writes each story with descriptive details and background information. It's obvious to me that much research has gone into the writing of this book.

Wicked Women of the Bible is a book of stories. Twenty women with names like Delilah and Rahab are brought to life for today's readers. Although Ann uses fictional techniques, she stays close to the Biblical text. Not all of the women whose stories are told are terribly wicked. Some are considered 'wicked good' and 'wicked smart'. Women like Abigail and Esther are included.

The book is arranged with twenty stories. At the end of each story is a short section entitled "The Times". It provides additional information including the approximate dates and where the story can be found in the Bible. I learned much about the worldview of the people in the story at that time and some of the common customs.

Something I really found helpful was "The Takeaway". This section concluded each chapter. Four questions were posed to the reader. It caused me to consider how I might react if I was the woman in the story. Ann also posed questions for readers to consider about temptations and situations they might be dealing with that are similar.


One of the chapters focuses on Delilah. She is the woman who was the downfall of Samson.

Eve is another woman whose story is told. She and Adam had unbroken fellowship with God until they gave in to temptation.

Here is the book trailer:


The book held my attention. I am amazed how the Bible shares details of flawed people and doesn't gloss over them. It gives me confidence that God can even use me for His purposes despite my own flaws.

I have a copy of Wicked Women of the Bible to give away to one of my Heart Choices' readers. It is signed by Ann Spangler herself.

Simply leave a comment below. Have you ever read one of Ann Spangler's books? Does a book about wicked women intrigue you? A winner will be chosen on Friday and a copy of this book will be mailed to that person.

And today (Friday) I wrote the numbers down for comments on this post. I pulled one out of my cup and the winner is #1.

Iris ...you won! Congratulations! I will be in touch and send you the book.

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

How Do You View Your Work on This Labor Day?


Photo Source
Happy Labor Day! What does this holiday mean to you? An extra day off work? A day to get together with friends and family to barbecue? A day to sleep late?

I googled it and arrived at the United States Department of Labor website. This is a quote I found to explain what Labor Day means.  

"Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country."

So we are to celebrate the achievements of American workers. I've been privileged to work in two different professions. Both of these professions consist of people who have dedicated their lives to helping others; nursing and teaching.

As a cardiac nurse, I had the opportunity to work with patients who for the most part were typically older. I enjoyed a wonderful relationship working with Dr. Scott Robertson, a cardiologist, for the last ten years of my nursing career. We worked hard but we loved what we were doing! And I have to say ...we made a great team.


I retired for about ten years but continued to 'work' in nonpaying jobs. I worked as a community manager for my husband's technology company. I volunteered to teach children in Bible Study Fellowship for seven years.

When I unexpectedly had to return to full time work I ended up in teaching. For a woman who always wanted children but couldn't have them, it was the perfect place for me to be. There's something very healing being surrounded by preschool children when going through a difficult transition in life.



When I work with my Mini-Mustang class, I'm totally focused on them. It may be hard work especially when I'm constantly having to squat down to their level. But it's good exercise at this point in my life. I have no time to feel sorry for myself, that's for sure. 

The bottom line for me is this. I choose to work at whatever I do with all my heart. I'm thankful for the jobs I've been able to do. I'm thankful for the people I've met throughout the years. 

I'm reminded of this Scripture:

"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people." Colossians 3:23 (NLT)

I hope to encourage you on this Labor Day that what you do counts. Whether you clean homes for a living or take care of children or drive a bus or create art or build companies ...work at it with all your heart as unto the Lord. 

So let me ask you a question. How do you view your work on this Labor Day?

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

Five Minute Friday: YES



It's Five Minute Friday when I link up with Kate Motaung. We are given a one word prompt and get to write for five minutes flat. Our word for today is YES.

GO

It was only several weeks ago that I wrote a post on Heart Choices on this very topic. The question posed was 'how is God calling you to say yes'. In case you missed it, you can read it here. At the time I was tired after working long hours. But the bottom line of what I wrote was the following:
I want to live so close to Jesus that I hear His voice and follow Him. I want to enter His rest even as I live and breathe and go about my life. Whether I am working as a preschool teacher or as a nurse or writing a book or being a good employee, friend or wife. I want to live resting in Him, trusting Him to provide for me.
It was a relief to realize I didn't need to do something to earn God's approval. I am already accepted by Him because of Jesus. But when I rest in Him, He begins to work through me. And that's when I need and want to say YES.

If I'm serious about saying YES to God, I need to say NO to many good things.

Two days ago, my husband asked me if I was ever going to finish my book. I'm a bit ashamed to admit I've been writing my book on and off for several years. I argued that I don't have the time. I need more than an hour here and there. And I work full time with little children with weekends to get caught up on laundry, grocery shopping, visiting, etc. When would I have time to finish my book?

Greg asked how he could help me so that I would have extra time. Uh oh, now I had no excuse. Because I believe completing this book might just help someone. And even if only one person benefits... that's OK.

As I learn to rest in Him, the Lord opens up my eyes. As I'm getting older, I hear of more people dying. Even friends and friends of friends. Most of my 86 year old dad's friends seem to be dying. And after being at the bedside of so many people when I worked as a cardiovascular nurse, I've learned so many life lessons. I even wrote them down in my journals.

So I'm saying YES. It may not be a best seller. I may not get rave reviews. But I will say YES.

STOP

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit
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