what to do about the crack cocaine

I'm a labor & delivery nurse. I travel doing this trade. Most of the time, I can't get enough of it. Today was not one of those days.

I had a lady come in today with symptoms of being "on something". Her main complaint, besides contractions, was that she , "just wanted to sleep". I guess so, considering the fact that she had probably been up around 36 hrs doing cocaine.

The drug screen was indeed positive, and she now laments her decisions and is crying to keep her baby..(although she doesn't have custody of her other 3). My job? Love her. Tell her the truth is the best thing...admit what you've done, pray for the rest. Encourage her. Call social services.

She thanked me, and told me to "have a good day". You too, I said. Knowing that mine would end up quite different than hers.

Although I will have another in flux of patients tomorrow, I will check in on her. One, because I told her I would. Two, because I really want to see what happens. Will anything I said to her get through? God only knows. He's also the only one with the power to change anything. Hopefully, though, whatever kindness and truth I may have shown will penetrate the thick walls of deception, delusion, and despair that are overtaking this woman who now has a baby girl that will always be a result of her mother's choices. mc

Praise Him in the Morning

"But I cry to you for help, O Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you...." Psalm 88:13

As a preface to this discussion, I must say I am very happy today that I have finally begun my own blog :) I am exceedingly joyous over this, because I do happen to think a lot, and need a place to share & have others share their thoughts with me. So, with my first blog, I must confess somethings about myself.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a morning person. That is such an understatement I cannot even tell you. As a middle schooler living with my sister, my brother in law would sing the Olive Oil (from Popeye) song..."wake up little rose bud, wake up...." I once slept 23 hours solid...after working the night shift, granted, but suffice it to say I love to sleep, and hate mornings as much.

I once had a Sunday school teacher tell our class that it was too bad if we weren't a morning person, because God is. But the truth is, I really want to get up early. I've heard of many people who get up at 4:00 am & earlier to pray; talk about feeling unworthy!

So I wake up, get overwhelmed with the events of the day, and want to just tuck my head back under the covers & sleep some more... even good coffee..GREAT coffee, doesn't seem to lure me out of my slumber. But what if it were God himself who was waiting on me to speak with me, (and not my brother in law Gary, although I love him dearly) ?

I've discovered that God Himself is becoming my motivation for rising. I have always loved the writings of the great preacher, Charles Spurgeon. I have rediscovered his morning & evening devotions, and those times of reflection have become precious to me.

God is waiting for me to speak, to cry, to love, to yearn for Him. How can I refuse Him? He actually wants to hear me talk. Again, those of you who know me well, know that I can be very, well, verbally exhausting. But I have a feeling that God is never exhausted.

So for all you die-hard early morning risers, carry on. For those of us who aren't, let's cry, "Awake, my soul....!"

"In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation..." Psalm 5:2

mc