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Bread for the Journey



Am I a nurse or a hotel guest?

A few week ago we were challenged at church about our attitude in our life here on earth. The speaker asked us to evaluate whether our day to day attitude was of a hotel guest or a nurse at a hospital? This is a relevant challenge to me at this time because we have been traveling and staying in hotels and it's that time of year for my yearly check ups and procedures where I see nurses at work to make things comfortable for me and serve my needs.
A hotel guest wants everything provided for them. Clean room, fresh linens, fresh towels, the bed made and then they want the hotel to provide any other luxuries available. They are very disappointed when they don't get everything they expected.
A Nurse looks to the needs of others. A nurse provides what the patient needs. Sometimes the nurse has to change bed pans. A nurse does what the doctor orders.
I've been challenged to consider where my attitude is. Is my day to day attitude one of a demanding hotel guest or a resident nurse in this world?

John 13: 12-17 (ESV)

12
When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, "Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

15 comments:

  1. That is a great way of putting life into perspective.I think I too often fall into the hotel guest category,which is not who I want to be.

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  2. Thank you for another thought provoking message............it will definitely help me keep things in perspective and I hope will keep me serving instead of expecting to be served.

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  3. Ohh.. that room is sooo tempting to be a 'guest' in, which is exactly how our natural leaning is, isn't it.
    Such a good service check-up, Ellen! May I always choose to be a 'nurse' serving others rather than looking to be served!

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  4. I love that analogy....I'm going to remind myself of that throughout the day. Thank you.

    I received my MGCC cook book given to me as a gift this week. Such a beautiful book. You all did such a wonderful job!

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  5. I had never thought of my 'sojourn' in those terms before. To serve or to be served...what is my purpose? The verses say it all! Thanks, Ellen.

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  6. This is exactly what we were challenged to think on this weekend at church. I love the practical terms you gave us to consider it.

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  7. "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them". That is a powerful verse. All too often I have taken the luxury of being the guest...when i know better. I'm going to camp on these thoughts this week and ask God for opportunities to be a nurse. And...when i am the guest....to be a gracious one. Lots here! Thank you!

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  8. Wow, this there is alot to think about in this term...I've been taught that the customer is always right...working in a hospital setting and watching the nurses serve, is another high honor.
    Some very good thoughts Ellen..thanks for sharing this just before I begin my travels.

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  9. Something to ponder for me today, bless you.

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  10. what a WONDERFUL post! Thank you for sharing.

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  11. Ellen, we heard the same thing at church this morning. Who is the greatest?.. is what the disciples were wondering... Jesus said the one who serves is the greatest. How many marriages and relationships would be changed for the better if we had the service attitude rather than being served ...If we all serve... we end up being served too, don't we?

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  12. I have just returned from a 2 week road trip where I got to stay in motels every night and eat dinner in restaurants every night. As soon as I got home, I needed to feed my husband and 2 teen boys again, and then yesterday fix a family birthday (including mine)dinner for the clan...
    It's easier to be a guest than a servant, and it's easy to get spoiled quickly by being a "guest". I guess my road trips must never be longer than 2 weeks or I won't recover my usefulness!

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  13. Excellent challenge! Thanks for sharing :)

    btw - just got a glimpse of the cookbook at our local Mennonite Heritage Museum; nice work!

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  14. Ouch! Just the thought I need.

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