His strength

May you always feel His strength within you!

I have a longing desire to work in the UC/ER department ever since I was in my nursing school. Most of friends would think I’m crazy but I just love the excitements and challenges that will bring me. So, when my boss came to ask if I would want to be consider for a candidate there. I quickly said ‘yes’ and didn’t have to think twice. In other to be considering, I must attend intensive training sections and pass the final with good grade. Here comes my biggest fear…

Even though I have lived in American soil and have breath American air for more than half of my life, I still have fear to speak, to write, and to listen to English language. I have tried so hard to conquer my fear but the more I tried the worst I have become. I came to think that God forgot to give me it. To my own race, I’m genuine English as Second Language person and I communicate well in English. No one knows that I’m a big ‘chicken’ when it comes to English language. Anyway, my boss selected fifteen nurses and sent us out for two month of intensive training. We worked very hard in class and to learn all that we need to know for the tasks in UC/ER Department later. Two days before the final, our trainer told us, “I know how hard you have worked to prepare for the final. I know few of you are off to a better position with higher salary. I am well aware of how much pressure you are under to pass my final for a possibility of a better future. Because of the challenge and intensity in the department, I’m prepared the last challenge to offer anyone who wants to take an oral final exam instead of the written one. Whoever is interested, please see me after class. ” There were a few of us staying after class for more information on the oral exam. When I was still hesitated because of the language barrier, my co-worker pressured me and I signed up for an oral exam. Then, I went home and felt sick to my stomach. I studied and practiced speaking in front of the mirror whenever I had free time. On the day of the exam, I still had butterfly but I came to my trainer office and got ready for my oral exam. Must to my surprise, he greeted me and gave me a paper with a message: ‘Congrats, you have just been accepting as a nursing staff for UC/ER Department.” I guess it was a great reward for us who had worked hard and believed in ourselves.
Reflecting on this experience, I remember St Paul the Apostle who experienced more hardships in his lifetime than anyone of us will in ours. Yet, he still declared, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13). So, I start truly believing in myself, in the Christ who lives within me, in the gifts God’s placed in me, and the destiny to which He’s called me. I’ll always choose challenging myself to be the BEST because God has promised and called me to an A not a B. How about you???

Take care and until next time…