Tuesday, October 21, 2008

The Shack


I just read this book in the past few days. I found it hard to put down because it truly challenged my perspective on tragedy, the reality of God, and how God works through tragedy. Of course it needs to be read as fiction, but I think there are some figurative truths that it makes easier to grasp. Is it the Bible? No, but it conveys some unique aspects of God in a way that is thought-provoking. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone! This quote at the end sums it up,


Earth's crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God,
But only He who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round it and pick blackberries.
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning


Oh that we would have eyes to see!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Story Side B- Be Still

I heard this song yesterday and love it. Enjoy!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Insomnia

I can't sleep right now. I'm on call and have been for 60 of the last 72 or so hours. Despite the relative sleep deprivation I am unable to even consider lying down because I am so energized by taking care of patients. It's crazy. I LOVE what I am doing. Being a doctor is pretty much the most incredible privilege. Some wise person said, "Do what you need to do so someday you can do what you want to do." I have thought about that often through college and medical school and I am much closer to the end goal and it is much better than I could have imagined.

Tonight I discussed "code status" with a family whose mom is likely to die tonight. I get to spend the night walking through this with them. What an honor! After speaking with them the well-experienced nurse gave me a hug and said, "Once again you are my hero." I said, "Why?". She said, "I just love the way you do business. You have a really great way of relating to patients." I don't rely on the affirmation of those around me, but it is really encouraging and energizing to be reminded that I am doing exactly what I was made to do.

While I wouldn't mind getting some sleep tonight after a very long week, I know that in 5 days I will be flying to Palm Springs, CA for a week of fun and rest. So tonight I will lean in and help this family walk through one of their darkest nights.

What do you need to do so you can do what you want to do? I've still got a long way to go to be a staff surgeon able to go abroad and teach others, but I'm taking steps and know that that day will come much faster than I expect.