I had to visit Sunnybrook Hospital yesterday. I was impressed by the significant protocols that were put in place to keep patients and staff safe. I am sure that all of our hospitals are being as diligent and caring.
How grateful I am as a Canadian to be able to go to a doctor or a hospital, to receive nursing care and support, without having to worry about losing my savings or mortgaging the house or my future.
But I am even more grateful that there are skilled and dedicated people who are literally putting their health, and life, on the line to help those in medical need or distress. How grateful I am to those who feel called to a vocation that – at its essence – is one of service to others.
Since my ordination 30 years ago, almost half of my Ministry was as a hospital chaplain, where I witnessed first hand the selfless dedication of so many medical professionals – nurses, doctors, therapists and social workers. As well, there are many who are less visible but are critical to maintaining a safe environment – the hospital system maintenance and cleaning staff, to mention just one.
To all of them we owe a huge debt of gratitude.
One way you and I can say thanks for their dedication is to adopt a medical care person as the target of our prayers. It could be your family or clinic physician and their nursing and other support staff. It could be the medical staff on one of the wards in your local community hospital. It could be one of the many nameless staff working quietly in the background and unseen …. lab techs, operations and maintenance staff, cleaning staff, medical equipment technologists… so very many to choose from.
Regardless of who you choose, add them to your prayer list and ask each day for Gods healing presence to keep them safe. And say thank you to God for the gift they are to you, as they live out their vocation to serve others who are hurting and in need.