The Delp Details

Saturday, September 24, 2005

God is in control!

Well, I probably won't talk too much on the blog about my job because, well, I work in a crazy unit and it's not always the most happy subjects to discuss with people. However, I thought I would share a little bit of what I have seen that last couple of days. For those of you that don't know, I work at University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. I will admit it is not an easy place to work. I see a lot of things that I never thought I would and some things I would rather never have seen. Univ of Chicago is located on the south side of Chicago and is a level one trauma center. That means we get all of the REALLy bad stuff that happens in Chicago and in northern Indiana (like Gary).
The last couple of days I have seen some crazy things. I took care of my first high profile case. It was all over the news about a family caught in a fire in Gary. We received two of the children from the fire. The other case that we got yesterday was a child (15) who was shot 5 times!!! I have felt the last couple of days that I have been on the show E.R. because of the crazy stuff that has happened. We don't always have stuff like this happen, but probably once a week or so. I feel like I could be Abbey Lockheart from E.R. with all that I have been encountering.
I don't know why I am writing this. It's not like we like to see these kind of things or that it is easy to see. In fact, it is VERY difficult. But, I admit it is such a great DAILY reminder of how I am so not in control of anything that happens. I don't always understand why things happen. Most of the days I leave I question a lot of things. I have brought home many questions to Joel about life, death, sin, God, and evil in our world. It's hard. But I know that I am in this hospital for a reason and that this is such a great place to bring Jesus. What better place for Jesus to be than in the midst of fear, loss, and anxiety. I know God brings me to strength daily to deal with what I see. I thank God so much for that and for being able to work in such an amazing place with such amazing people. And I thank God for having such a wonderful husband who deals so well with me when I am dealing with the things I see. He is such a wonderful support and I love him dearly.
I don't write this to make you sad...I promise. I write it to encourage you to give those you love a hug and tell them you love them. I also hope that you all know that GOD, not evil is in control. We all see a lot from hurricanes and tornadoes to abuse and neglect. But I take heart in knowing that the God I serve loves us all. He is in control of our lives so much more than we are and that He knows better than we do what we need! He loves us all so much. Take heart, He has overcome the world!
http://www.uchicagokidshospital.org/ University of Chicago Web site

1 comment:

Robin said...

Wow, I can't imagine all that you must deal with on a daily basis. My favorite part of my job is the hospital work, because I feel like I have a chance to minister to those who are scared and suffering. And though I'm certainly not Catholic, there is truth in this prayer written by Mother Teresa that I always try to keep in mind:

O suffering Jesus,
let me, today and every day,
see You in the person of your sick ones,
and assisting them
may I serve you.
Let me see you even
hidden under the unattractive
guise of sickness and say:
Suffering Jesus
how sweet it is to serve you!
Give me O Lord this vision of faith
and my work will
never be monotonous.
I will find joy by embracing the little wishes
and desires of all the
poor people who suffer.
Dear sick person,
you are even more
dear to me because you represent Christ.
What a privilege it is for me to care for you!
God, since you are the suffering Jesus,
be also for me a patient Jesus,
indulgent towards my failings,
looking only at my intention
to love you
and serve you
in each of Your suffering children.
Lord increase my faith.
Bless my efforts and my work,
now and always.

Amen