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Everything Is for a Reason
Sacred Stories | Everything Is for a Reason
“Nobody escapes being wounded. We are all wounded people. When our wounds cease to be a source of shame, and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers.” – Henri Nouwen, Catholic priest/writer/theologian (1932-1996)
One day when I was working on the medical/surgical floor, I had a patient who was battling cancer. She was scared of what was ahead of her. When her family was present, she kept a brave and positive outlook. But it was just her and me that day, and she was having a hard day.
I have had stage four cancer and went through chemotherapy and radiation. Cancer gives one a new outlook on life, and on being a nurse. God has a purpose for everything in life, and I know God put me in this patient’s path to bring her hope. I shared my story of surviving cancer with her.
The relationship that blossomed after that was amazing. She told me she felt she had to be strong for her family and friends, but she felt so alone. She cried as we talked about the trials of cancer. I was able to give her hope. I felt blessed to be the person she was able to talk to. I felt the Holy Spirit guiding me to help her deal with the emotions of having cancer. She kept saying, “You know how it feels to go through this. I feel like I can cry around you, and you will understand.”
I have come to know that whatever happens is in God’s plan. I can offer cancer patients hope because I have learned to rely on God to get through difficult times. As I reflect, I now understand that cancer has turned out to be one of God’s biggest blessings in my life.
Shared From the Sacred Stories Archive
Questions for Reflection
Can you think of a time when you experienced adversity that later proved to be a blessing, either for you or for someone else?
How does that help you think differently about things you may have been going through lately?
Share this Story
- Share on Facebook
- Share on Twitter
- Share on LinkedIn
- Share by Mail
Listen to more Sacred Stories
The Gift of Citizenship/by adminOur Famous Patient/by adminFulfilling a Last Request/by adminThe Power of Being Present/by adminA Celebrated Farewell/by adminGod’s Perfect Timing/by adminGod’s Presence in Grief/by adminCompassion in Action/by adminThe Door is Open/by adminEncourage One Another/by adminRestoring the Soul/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred Ground/by adminOur Christmas Gift/by adminMessages Placed in My Path/by adminBeyond Words/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of Life/by adminWisdom from a Child/by adminGod Has This in Control/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and Kindness/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present Values/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving Garden/by adminFair, with Occasional Clouds/by adminAlways a Reason/by adminIt Only Takes a Second/by adminA Thank You Note/by adminWith the Arms of Christ/by adminLadybug’s Christmas Tree/by adminJesus Lit Up Our World/by adminLike a Grain of Wheat/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our House/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to Me/by adminMany Gifts, Same Spirit/by adminMy Poignant Story/by adminLife and Death/by adminCan You Hear Me in the Noise?/by adminBagpipes/by adminTo Truly See/by adminMassaging Souls/by adminMargaret Was Not Alone/by adminThe “Push” for My Career/by adminA Grandmother’s Kiss/by adminUncle Jim/by adminWhat Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?/by adminI Have Seen the Face of God/by adminIncarcerated/by adminIce Cream: Good for the Soul/by adminA Cup of Cold Water/by adminSpirits Touching/by adminI Thought You Might Need a Hug/by adminFamily, Friends, and Faith/by adminJust Hands/by adminOur Central American Patient/by adminBrief Light/by adminA Childs Generosity/by adminEverything Is for a Reason/by adminThe Colonel/by adminThe Goodbye Song/by adminThe True Meaning of Christmas/by adminDo You Remember Me?/by adminLights for Timothy/by adminA New Friend/by adminStringed Release/by adminPrayer Shawl/by adminForgiveness/by adminLoad more
About Sacred Stories
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of
the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to
use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.
Return to the Sacred Stories Homepage
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Sacred Stories | Everything Is for a Reason
“Nobody escapes being wounded. We are all wounded people. When our wounds cease to be a source of shame, and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers.” – Henri Nouwen, Catholic priest/writer/theologian (1932-1996)
One day when I was working on the medical/surgical floor, I had a patient who was battling cancer. She was scared of what was ahead of her. When her family was present, she kept a brave and positive outlook. But it was just her and me that day, and she was having a hard day.
I have had stage four cancer and went through chemotherapy and radiation. Cancer gives one a new outlook on life, and on being a nurse. God has a purpose for everything in life, and I know God put me in this patient’s path to bring her hope. I shared my story of surviving cancer with her.
The relationship that blossomed after that was amazing. She told me she felt she had to be strong for her family and friends, but she felt so alone. She cried as we talked about the trials of cancer. I was able to give her hope. I felt blessed to be the person she was able to talk to. I felt the Holy Spirit guiding me to help her deal with the emotions of having cancer. She kept saying, “You know how it feels to go through this. I feel like I can cry around you, and you will understand.”
I have come to know that whatever happens is in God’s plan. I can offer cancer patients hope because I have learned to rely on God to get through difficult times. As I reflect, I now understand that cancer has turned out to be one of God’s biggest blessings in my life.
Shared From the Sacred Stories Archive
Questions for Reflection
Can you think of a time when you experienced adversity that later proved to be a blessing, either for you or for someone else?
How does that help you think differently about things you may have been going through lately?
Share this Story
- Share on Facebook
- Share on Twitter
- Share on LinkedIn
- Share by Mail
Listen to more Sacred Stories
The Gift of Citizenship/by adminOur Famous Patient/by adminFulfilling a Last Request/by adminThe Power of Being Present/by adminA Celebrated Farewell/by adminGod’s Perfect Timing/by adminGod’s Presence in Grief/by adminCompassion in Action/by adminThe Door is Open/by adminEncourage One Another/by adminRestoring the Soul/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred Ground/by adminOur Christmas Gift/by adminMessages Placed in My Path/by adminBeyond Words/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of Life/by adminWisdom from a Child/by adminGod Has This in Control/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and Kindness/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present Values/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving Garden/by adminFair, with Occasional Clouds/by adminAlways a Reason/by adminIt Only Takes a Second/by adminA Thank You Note/by adminWith the Arms of Christ/by adminLadybug’s Christmas Tree/by adminJesus Lit Up Our World/by adminLike a Grain of Wheat/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our House/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to Me/by adminMany Gifts, Same Spirit/by adminMy Poignant Story/by adminLife and Death/by adminCan You Hear Me in the Noise?/by adminBagpipes/by adminTo Truly See/by adminMassaging Souls/by adminMargaret Was Not Alone/by adminThe “Push” for My Career/by adminA Grandmother’s Kiss/by adminUncle Jim/by adminWhat Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?/by adminI Have Seen the Face of God/by adminIncarcerated/by adminIce Cream: Good for the Soul/by adminA Cup of Cold Water/by adminSpirits Touching/by adminI Thought You Might Need a Hug/by adminFamily, Friends, and Faith/by adminJust Hands/by adminOur Central American Patient/by adminBrief Light/by adminA Childs Generosity/by adminEverything Is for a Reason/by adminThe Colonel/by adminThe Goodbye Song/by adminThe True Meaning of Christmas/by adminDo You Remember Me?/by adminLights for Timothy/by adminA New Friend/by adminStringed Release/by adminPrayer Shawl/by adminForgiveness/by adminLoad more
About Sacred Stories
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of
the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to
use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.
Return to the Sacred Stories Homepage