Forts and Fortresses

Where I am: Melbourne, FL

Studying: Pediatrics

Learning: Trusting in God

Verse: Psalms 91:1-2 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Details: 

Working pediatrics stretches, opens and grows you like nothing else. I was prepared for handling challenging behaviors, talking with families and coming home with marker/crayons/food/paint all over me.

I wasn't prepared for walking alongside trials. Yes, I work in health care and yes, I generally work with population where that should be expected. But most of the cases are short-lived, quick trials that ease out when clients leave the hospital.

Not pediatrics. You walk life with them. Their files are not only filled with scores and diagnosis, but with stories. Stories of families that are broken, where someone else stepped in to make things whole. Stories where loved ones were taken away or hurt making it so our paths merge together. I have fought back tears reading these tales. The family members who are stepping in to pick up the pieces are saints in my mind, showing examples of humility and loving service each week. I fight myself in sessions from wrapping my arms around these kiddos to try by some feebly naive attempt to reassure them that the world is still good.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust." This is becoming my prayer. When I want to build that fort around them, I pray that the One who is a fortress will come to them.